UEFA Cup Final Sporting v CSKA MoscowCSKA Moscow coach Valeriy Gazzaev does not believe conceding home advantage to Sporting Lisbon will have any bearing on tonight's Uefa Cup final.
Sporting's Estadio Jose Alvalade plays host to the contest, meaning CSKA are sure to face a hostile reception as they bid to overcome a side looking to bounce back from the weekend defeat at Benfica which ended their SuperLiga challenge.
Gazzaev dismissed suggestions that familiar surroundings and the support of the Lisbon crowd make Sporting favourites.
"We know they are playing at home but it is a final and it should not make any difference," he said. "The atmosphere will be of no concern. We are fully prepared for the game.
"The players know what kind of game they will play and they are in good condition. We have the same chance of winning as our opponents."
Gazzaev is aware, though, that Sporting will present a formidable challenge for his side.
"They are a very powerful team and have good players like Ricardo, Fabio Rochemback, Sa Pinto and Pedro Barbosa," he added. "It is a good mix of youth and experience but we have followed virtually all of their games and we have a wealth of knowledge about how they play."
In such a fervent atmosphere, it will be important for the players to keep their cool, a point Gazzaev acknowledged.
"In a major final, players want to show their best, there is a lot of pressure and sometimes emotions can get out of control. We need to monitor that," he said. "But players can get worked up on such a stage and there could well be dismissals tomorrow night."
Embattled Sporting coach Jose Peseiro yesterday vowed to defy his critics and lead his side to Uefa Cup success. Sporting's chances of landing the Portuguese SuperLiga evaporated at the weekend after a 1-0 defeat to Benfica and Peseiro came in for criticism for what many perceived to be a negative approach to a game they needed to win.
Redemption may come with victory against CSKA and the 45-year-old appealed for a more positive outlook.
"Many people mock me when I say we have a strong squad but I am extremely proud of my players and I believe we can win," he said. "Against Benfica we had 13 shots on goal and they only had eight so I think we played with an attacking mentality. We never go out with a defensive mindset and that will also apply against CSKA. Maybe if everyone got behind us it would help."
Brazilian striker and top scorer Liedson is set to return for Sporting after missing the Benfica game through suspension but Peseiro denied that would alter his thinking. "With or without Liedson, our strategy is always the same," he added. "Of course, he is the best striker at the club but never when he isn't available have we changed our policy of attacking."
