FCBARCELONA.CAT

19.10.2009 10:55

“There is a big difference between Barça and Rubin Kazan”

Sandra Sarmiento

Konstantin Igropulo, Russian right back for Barça Borges, is looking forward to Rubin Kazan’s game at the Camp Nou. Igropulo says that for his compatriots “just getting to play in Barcelona is a triumph in itself”.

The Palau Blaugrana has been his home for a few months, but for a moment we asked him to switch his mind to a different sport, and give us his ideas about the forthcoming visit of the Russian champions. Konstantin Igropulo, one of the best left-handers in handball, told us about Tuesday’s Champions League clash against Rubin Kazan.

The cost of the Champions League

After comfortable winning the Russian Premier League, Rubin Kazan are one point ahead of Spartak Moscow in their bid to retain the title with just five games to go. “This season they started well, but when they started in the Champions League, they stared dropping points in the league”, said Igropulo, who added that Kurban Berdyyev’s side “is ambitious but they lack experience of high level European competition”.

Definite home win

Asked to make his prediction, Igropulo didn’t think twice. “I don’t think Rubin Kazan will cause too many problems for Barça, they are a good team but there’s a big difference between the two … for Rubin Kazan just getting to play in Barcelona is a triumph in itself”.

Barça in Kazan

Igropulo, who came to Barcelona this summer after winning one Cup Winners Cup and four Russian leagues with Txehovski Medvedi, said that Barça’s visit to the city of Kazan on November 4 will be quite some event. “A lot of Russians support Barça. They are one of the most watched teams on TV. They’re one of the classic sides of football. Things depend on the result at the Camp Nou, but the stadium will be full … I don’t know what the weather will be like. Of course it won’t be like it is here, but I don’t think there will be extreme cold. It’ll be 5 to 10 degrees”.