Valery Karpin has been the general manager of Spartak Moscow since August 2008. A month later he signed Michael Laudrup as coach, but the bad start in the Russian league and loss in the cup quarterfinals resulted in the dismissal of the Danish coach in April. Since then, the former Real Sociedad, Valencia and Celta Vigo midfielder Karpin has been sitting on the bench himself and fighting for the title against current league champion Rubin Kazan, Barcelona’s next opponent in the Champions League. Karpin disclosed the strenghts and weaknesses of Rubin to a Catalan newspaper El Mundo Deportivo.

What type of game do you expect?

Barcelona is quite a favourite, especially at home. I have no doubt that they will take three points.

What are the virtues that led Rubin Kazan to conquer the Russian league title last season?

They are not easy to beat. They are very organized and fight a lot, especially away from home. Their only league defeat at home was against Lokomotiv Moscow in the final game (2-1). However, Barca is always Barca.

Why they find it harder to play in their own stadium?

When they play in their own field, they are required to create more chances and they don’t have so much material to go for the Champions League. The Russian league is another matter. Dominguez is a different player and his technical quality gives Kurban Berdyev complete freedom to move in the attack. Another player with lots of quality in midfield is Sergei Semak, a Russian international.

They say that there is no other team in Russia which uses the “catenaccio” tactics better than Rubin. Is it impossible to go to Camp Nou and play so boldly as Dynamo Kiev did?

Yes, I’m convinced that they will be enclosed behind and they rely on their powerful counterattacks, as they have always done outside their home. Especially in the Camp Nou, if Pep Guardiola plays his best squad.

Will any player of the formation play more conservative?

I don’t believe so, they often use the same line-up. The defense line is often the same: Kaleshin, Sharonov, Cesar Navas and Ansaldi. In midefield, Semak is a fixed starter with Turkish player Gökdeniz Karadeniz, who is another interesting player. He is clever and can work in both ends. Sibaya and Noboa are also destructive. And 1.91 m tall forward Aleksander Bukharov form a good partnership with Dominguez in attack.

Can Barca have any problems with Rubin’s strategy?

Berdyev works hard to get corners and fouls and his goal average index is remarkable. Dominguez is usually responsible for implementing set pieces.

What can be said of goalkeeper Ryzhikov?

He made a mistake against Lokomotiv last season, but now he’s playing an impressive season. Corner kicks might be his downfall, since Rubin always defends as a zone.

Does Rubin use zone marking for players like Messi, Xavi and Iniesta or individual defending, just like Almeria coach Hugo Sanchez?

It could be that some player replaces Berdyev for chasing Xavi and Iniesta. Sibaya and Noboa would be most suitable for this work in collaboration with Semak, whose defensive work is also very significant. Ansaldi will mark Messi. As left-footed, it is a good side to play fo him, but cancelling Messi is always difficult.

Why has Rubin Kazan lost their lead of seven points in the Russian league during past four games?

They are not used to balance between two competitions. Psychologically, playing against teams like Barcelona or Inter makes you grow up and when you return to the Russian league weekend, there can be a low level of motivation. That’s why they have lost so many points.

Who will win the Russian league title?

I hope we win it. We want to advance straight to the Champions League without qualification, but Zenit is also close.

Will you be on the bench?

I love coaching and I will continue, even if I lose five games in a row.

“Will it snow on November 4 when Barcelona visit Kazan?”

Anything can happen. It will be cold, no doubt, and that will benefit Rubin more than Barcelona.