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from http://www.uefa.com/competitions/UCL...Report=PR.html

Evgeni Lovchev is expected to be used in an unfamiliar holding roleSlovakian side FC Artmedia Bratislava expect a sapping challenge at Kazakhstani title-holders FC Kairat Almaty as both teams make their UEFA Champions League debut in the first leg of their first qualifying round tie today.

First title
Vladimír Weiss's team claimed their first Slovakian Superleague title last season, holding off the challenge of perennial winners MŠK Žilina. But the prize could prove to be something of a poisoned chalice after they were drawn with Kazakhstan's maiden Champions League entrants, Kairat.

Hostile environment
The Kazakh champions are based near the border with China, and after completing a 11,000km journey, the Artmedia players may experience temperatures approaching 40C. The searing heat is set to play its part and although the game will kick off in the evening, temperatures are still likely to be extremely high.

Mixed fortunes
The home side have recorded some mixed results of late, winning one, drawing one and losing the other of their last three league games to leave Kairat in seventh position, although FC Taraz and FC Ordabasy Shymkent were both overcome in the Kazakh Cup. Kairat coach Aleksei Petrushin will be keen to help his team better their last European outing, when they suffered a 5-0 aggregate defeat by FK Crvena Zvezda in the 2002/03 UEFA Cup.

Injury problems
However, Kairat will be without the talismanic Andrei Karpovich and his usual replacement in the holding role, Kairat Nurdauletov, as they are both injured. Creative midfield player Evgeni Lovchev is likely to fill in, although Almaty's problems also extend to their frontline as Alikbek Buleshev and Arsen Tlekhugov are unfit.

Selection difficulties
Weiss also has problems, however, with two foreign forwards, Brazilian Luís Fabio Gomes and Serbo-Montenegrin Milorad Bukvič, both unavailable after visa difficulties. Their loss is a blow to the side but Weiss' spirit has been lifted by a 3-1 win against FK Dukla Banská Bystrica in the Slovakian Super Cup on Sunday.

Confidence gained
"We're delighted to claim the Super Cup," he said of their first victory in that competition. "It's given us a lot of confidence. It's a pity our first-choice attack is unavailable though, and we'll now have to face a strong side with only 16 players. But we remain hopeful."

Celtic await
In a good omen for Artmedia, in the 2002/03 UEFA Cup Slovakian side FK Púchov claimed an aggregate win against Kazakh club FC Atyrau after a 0-0 away draw. A similar result would earn the victors a second qualifying round tie against former European champions Celtic FC in the more temperate climate of Scotland.

Jurijs Andrejevs is hoping his side can finally deliver in EuropeFK Rabotnicki coach Gjore Jovanovski is urging his players to heed caution ahead of their first appearance in the UEFA Champions League against Latvian side Skonto FC tonight.

Maiden campaign
The Skopje-based side claimed their maiden Macedonian First League title last season to book their place in the first qualifying round and although Skonto are veterans at this stage, Rabotnicki will still be confident of impressing. Nevertheless, Jovanovski is urging his players to approach the first leg with a cool head.

Strong defence
"We obviously hope to win the match but it is equally imperative that we don't concede," he said. "We must play patiently because in Skonto we face opponents with big international experience. They look a good team but I hope it will be us who reach the second round."

Domestic struggle
A tie with Russian champions FC Lokomotiv Moskva awaits the victor and with Skonto struggling in domestic competition, coach Jurijs Andrejevs is looking for a rare lift. The side lie third in the Latvian First Division, nine points adrift of leaders FHK Liepajas Metalurgs.

European consolation
It is testament to the club's dominance in Latvia - they have won a record 14 titles in a row - that third is considered disastrous, but with the championship seemingly slipping away, the club are looking for the compensation of a rare European run.

Defensive frailty
Andrejevs is confident his team can do so and believes he has identified a flaw in Skonto's opponents. "We have studied Rabotnicki, and admittedly they do have the advantage in terms of technique," said Andrejevs, who also leads the Latvia national team. "Their attacking is good. But defensively they are prone to mistakes. Skonto will exploit that."

Disappointing defeats
Ever-present in the Champions League for 14 years now, the likes of FC Barcelona, FC Internazionale Milano and Chelsea FC have all visited Riga in recent years. All predictably defeated Skonto, but losses to the likes of Sliema Wanderers FC and FC Shamkir were more painful. League successes softened the blow but Andrejevs looks unlikely to enjoy that luxury this time around.

Lokomotiv await
Rabotnicki's European record is no better and their sole previous appearance, in the 2000/01 UEFA Cup, was abruptly ended after a 4-0 aggregate defeat by Ukraine's FC Vorskla Poltava in the qualifying round. A date with Lokomotiv would surely vanquish those ghosts.