Since the European Cup was made over into the Champions League in 1993, no team from the former Eastern Bloc has claimed the European crown. The only team from the East to have made an impact during that time was Dynamo Kyiv in the late 1990’s.

The 2006/07 Champions League has seen a record six sides from the former Eastern Bloc competing in the group stages. The teams from Eastern Europe include Dynamo Kyiv (Ukraine), Levski Sofia (Bulgaria), Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine), Spartak Moskva (Russia) and CSKA Moskva (Russia).

It is unlikely that this seasons winner will come from Eastern Europe (though one of these teams could win it if you take FC Porto as an example), but if you were to pick a team to make an impact on the competition you would have to chose Russia’s CSKA Moskva.

The Russian’s clubs official name is PFC CSKA Mosvka or Professional Football Club – Central Sports Club of Army (Mosvka). Although they are not as successful as some of their Moskva rivals they have still won the old Soviet Championship seven times (1946, 1948, 1951, 1955, 1991), the Russian Cup in 2002, 2005 and 2006, and won the new Russian Premier League title twice in 2003 and 2005.

CSKA became the first Russian club in 2005 to win a major European title as they triumphed in the UEFA Cup. During the final against Sporting Lisbon they came from a goal behind to win the match 3-1.

Ever since they beat Sporting Lisbon on their own ground, nothing has fazed the army team from Moskva. This season CSKA look set to win the Russian title for the second year running as they currently lead with a handful of games remaining and are also on course to make an impact in the Champions League.

Their Coach Valeri Gazzayev has built a solid team centred on a mix of Russian youth and experience with a blend of Brazilian flair. Gazzayev also looks set to lead the Army team to their second successive title this season.

Gazzayev has also benefited from the recent investment in Russian football and has been able to take advantage of Sibneft’s investment. The club received a major financial infusion from a sponsorship deal with Sibneft, an oil company owned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich. This investment has meant that CSKA can now compete in the transfer market and also offer competitive wages to help attract players from outside of Russia.

Investment from Sibneft in the Army team has meant that Gazzayev has been able to assemble not just a strong starting XI, but a competitive squad with international players competing in different positions on the pitch.

Gazzayev’s preferred starting XI is in the shape of 3-2-3:

———————Akinfeev———————

A Berezutsky—Ignashevich—V Berezutsky

————–Aldonin————Dudu———–

Krasic—————Carvalho———-Zhirkov

————-Vagner Love——–Jo————–

CSKA have one of the strongest defences in Russia and this is centred on Akinfeev, who is regarded by many experts to be one of the most promising keepers in Europe. The countries top goalkeeper has a trio of Russian internationals playing in front of him in Sergei Ignashevich and the Berezutsky twins Aleksei and Vassili.

The three man defence is protected by two holding midfielders in Brazilian Dudu and Russia’s captain Evgeni Aldonin. Both players are extremely hard-working and experienced and Dudu’s performances have led to a call up to Dunga’s new look Brazil squad. Bosnian international Elvir Rahimie is also an able deputy for either player.

A three man midfield in employed behind the two strikers with Serbian Milos Krasic and one of Russia’s best young players, Zhirkov, occupying the wings. Both players are pacey and incentive on the flanks and provide defenders with all sorts of problems.

Newly capped Brazilian international Daniel Carvalho plays in the hole behind the strikers. Carvalho was the first foreign player to be named Russian Footballer of the Year after a string of fine performances helped CSKA win the Russian title and UEFA Cup in 2005.

In attack Gazzayev prefers Brazilians Jo and Vagner Love. Jo is only 19 and recently arrived from Corinthians and has made an immediate impact becoming the leagues top scorer. Vagner Love has now settled (since wanting to leave Moskva) in Russia and has netted 29 goals in 73 games to forge a deadly partnership with Jo. Croatian international Ivica Olic is also an able deputy for either.

The Russian champions are growing in confidence with every European campaign and their squad has good international experience and no visible weakness. Their early form in their opening Champions League matches has reflected this. They have managed to hold Arsenal to a 0-0 draw at the Emirates Stadium, beaten them 1-0 at home, overcome German giants Hamburg (also at home) and managed to hold former Champions FC Porto to a draw (in Portugal).

Dynamo Kyiv were the last team from the former Eastern Bloc to make an impact on the Champions League in the late 1990’s. Is this the season when another team from the East makes a serious impact on the Champions League?