CSKA Reds

Everything you wanted to know about LiverpoolÕs next opponents in the ChampionsÕ League Ð but were afraid to ask.

1. CSKAÕs title win in May was their 30th in all.

2. Last season they lost only a single League game -their final one

3. They still only claimed the title by 3 points after a titanic struggle with arch-rivals Levski Sofia.

4. Like Liverpool, CSKA play in all red and are nicknamed the ÔRedsÕ.

5. The club was formed only in 1948 after a merger- they immediately won the title.

6. For much of its history CSKA were BulgariaÕs Army Club and much favoured by the State.

7. Originally they were CDNA but changed to CSKA, when they represented the Central Army Sports Club.

8. CSKA have a multi-national squad which includes players from Africa, Brazil and many Eastern European nations.

9. They are coached by a Serb-Montenegrin Mirodrag Jesic.

10. In three previous attempts CSKA have never pbutted beyond the Champions League group stages. In the old European Cup the club were twice semi-finalists.

11. They twice knocked out the European Cup holders, ending AjaxÕs three year hold on the cup in 1974 and famously beating Liverpool in 1982.

12. CSKAÕs current strength is their midfield marshalled by Emil Gergarov, supported by Moroccan Mourad Hidiouad. The team often has a five-man midfield and a lone striker.

13. That striker is usually fansÕ favourite Stojko Sakaliev who wears 21 and has been a regular scorer since he moved from Naftex. He can be supported by Ivory Coast forward Guillame Zadi who scored in both the games with Dinamo Tirana that brought them through to play Liverpool.

14. Brazilian full back Tiago Silva gets forward regularly to support the attack.

15. CSKA have won 2 of the last 3 Bulgarian titles after a period where Levski annexed 6 titles in a decade.

16. The current keeper is Moldovan international Evgeni Hmaruc, who played against Scotland in both World Cup qualifiers.

17. CSKA still l ay at the Army Stadium which will be full to its 22,000 capacity when Liverpool visit.

18. In 2002, CSKA drew Blackburn Rovers in the UEFA Cup. Rovers were 3-0 up in the away leg before the home side stormed back to level matters. Blackburn squeaked through on the away goals rule after the first leg at Ewood finished 1-1.

19. The away leg was played in a hugely partisan atmosphere with the crowd becoming very hostile as the game wore on.

20. Senegalese central defender Ibrahim Guayre was in the 2002 game and still holds a regular place in the back line. Several other players are still on the roster from that match but central defender Valentin Iliev is suspended for the first leg at Anfield.

Hugh Larkin 4 August 2005

-- TA