The Muscovites were "let down" by their hopeful, Chelsea London. Having an edge in Porto over the club of the same name, they suffered a defeat, making CSKA continue in only the UEFA Cup.
After the triumph in Paris, CSKA coach Valeri Gazzaev could not hide his disillusionment in the conversation with RIA Novosti and admitted having unambiguous feelings: "On the one hand, I'm glad with the brilliant victory of my team and, simultaneously, I regret we've not reached the next round of the Champions League", the CSKA coach said. In his opinion, CSKA was in control of the game from beginning to end. His plan was clearly met.
At the same time, the CSKA coach lamented that Chelsea lost in Porto: "We knew the British were winning after the first half and hoped that they will end up with at least a tie". Gazzaev's disillusionment did not last long.
He said that after about a month-long leave the team will begin preparations for UEFA Cup matches with the training session in Zheleznovodsk in mid-January and then in Italy, Britain and, maybe, Spain. Much will depend on the rival to be set from the drawing of lots, slated for December 17.
After the Paris match, president of the CSKA professional football club Yergeni Giner said that he is "dissatisfied with the results of the season in the national championship, where the army team lost the gold medals at the last moment" and hopes for a successful start of the new season by a worthy performance in the UEFA Cup. "Last season young players gained the required experience at the high international level, which will help them next year", Giner said.
CSKA will have its first match in the UEFA Cup competition on February 16 or 17 in a home game and the return match on February 24 in a visiting game. In this competition, CSKA may be in company with Zenit St.Petersburg, which so far has a chance to continue rivalry.
