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[tab:Match report]

 Phil McGhee at Fir Park

Motherwell slumped to a 2-0 home defeat making it almost mission impossible when they head for Krasnodar next week.

Whilst the Russians were strong opposition and showed a bit of quality in their first Euorpean tie, ‘Well were once again guilty of conceding goals on the counter attack, much to Stuart McCall’s frustration.

Urged on by a crowd of just short of 7,000, ‘Well were looking for their first European result at Fir Park, after three consecutive defeats without a goal to show for their efforts.

Stuart McCall had warned of the need to be patient. And aiming to the keep the tie alive after the home leg the ‘Well boss opted for a five man midfield, with Paul Lawson anchored in front of the back four.

With John Sutton as a lone striker chances were going to be limited but within two minutes, Iain Vigurs tried his luck from 30-yards but drilled his shot a couple of yards wide of goal. A minute later a low drive from Sutton forced Belemov into his first save.

Within a minute, though, Kuban posted a warning of their goal threat when Ibahima Baldé clipped the ball past Lee Hollis and just beyond the post. The Senegal striker then cut in from the left before curling shot just beyond the far post.

Baldé was proving to be a real threat and after 20 minutes he came within inches of opening the scoring with a thumping 25-yard drive which came crashing back off the cross bar.

Although James McFadden produced half an opening after a brilliant turn in the box ‘Well were finding it difficult to get in behind the Russian defence.

Ten minutes from the interval Zaine Francis-Angol found space wide on the left and his low cross found Sutton in front of his marker but his scooped shot was held by Belemov under his cross bar.

A minute later the Fir Park side had strong appeals for a penalty denied when McFadden’s cross was destined for Sutton’s forehead before he was bundled to the ground inside the six-yard box. The Swiss official was having none of it though.

Motherwell seemed to grow in confidence as interval approached but there was another scare just before the break when Hollis failed to get to Kaboré’s free-kick and was relieved to see Xandão’s header bounce into the side netting.

Kuban, deciding to go with only three at the bac,k threatened from the start of the second-half and it was no surprise when they grabbed the dreaded away goal after 51 minutes. Baldé threaded his way into the box unchallenged and when he crossed the ball into the six yard area Ivelin Popov slid the ball beyond Hollis to silence the home crowd.

Popov almost doubled the visitors tally ten minutes later with a powerful dipping volley which Hollis acrobatically pushed over his cross bar.

Motherwell responded with a period of sustained pressure on Belemov’s goal. Firstly a Keith Lasley cross found Sutton but his firm head was well held by the ‘keeper. Then James McFadden wriggled away from two defenders only to see his low drive deflect narrowly past the post. Bevelov was then forced into a good diving save low at his post to block Vigurs’ angled drive.

Former Ross County man Vigurs then linked well with McFadden but once again his left foot shot was deflected wide.

Just when it looked as if the ‘Well fans were set for a storming final ten minutes, the home side conceded a second goal in the 78th minute which killed the game and probably the tie.

And similar to last season’s Europa ties, Motherwell were caught on the break when Hammell’s intercepted pass sent Baldé racing upfield before he laid the ball across to Popov who hammered the ball past the helpless Hollis.

It could have been three when after another swift break substitute Djibril Cissé found himself unmarked but Hollis superbly blocked his drilled shot.

‘Well were then cruelly denied an injury time goal which would have given them some hope for next week but after rising superbly to meet Francis-Angol’s cross, Sutton could only watch in anguish as his powerful header rebounded off the post.

McCall’s men must pick themselves up for the SPFL Premiership opener against Hibs at Easter Road on Sunday.

[tab:As it happened]

Ally Reilly at Fir Park

FT: Motherwell 0 – 2 Kuban Krasnodar

92mins: Sutton heads off the post! Just not our night I’m afraid.

91mins: Wonderful sliding tackle from Hutchinson to deny Urena

90mins: 3 minutes to be added on

87mins: Unlucky again for Vigurs. Good effort from 18 yards, tests Belemov low to his left

85mins: Great save from Hollis to deny Cisse. Would have been a great goal after the quite brilliant through ball.

85mins: Urena on for Bucur.

82mins: Balde off for Cisse, Kerr on for McFadden.

80mins: Motherwell sub, Anier on for Lawson.

79mins: Kuban Krasnodar sub: Tsorayev makes way for Fidler.

77mins: GOAL! – A real sucker punch as Popov taps home Balde’s cross. Counter attack, seconds later its in 🙁

74mins: Again Vigurs finds space and gets a shot on target. It’s way for Belemov but encouraging nonetheless.

71mins: Good spell. Vigurs the latest to try his luck with a volley from the angle.

69mins: McFadden wins a corner. Hutchinson connects with it but it loops over!

67mins: Good chance there as Dutton connects with Lasley’s cross. Straight at Belemov though!

65mins: Hutchinson booked for crunching down Popov

63mins: Chance here. Free kick wide on the right for Motherwell……. Belemov punches Lawson’s delivery clear.

61mins: Fine save from Hollis to deny Popov from the edge of the box. Corner comes to nothing.

57mins: Lawson delivers his FK in deep, easy gather for Belemov.

52mins: GOAL! Popov pokes Balde’s cross home from 8 yards. 0-1

49mins: Bit of comic relief there as the gaffer looked like he was about to step on and unleash an attack with a quick free kick. 😀

47mins: Shaky start! Hammell has to be alert and manages to clear at the back post. Danger averted.

45mins: Second half underway.

HT: Motherwell 0 – 0 Kuban Krasnodar

45mins: Heart skipped a beat there as Kabore floated one in, Hollis missed but thankfully was headed past at the far post. Phew.

36mins: Claims for a penalty as Sutton rose to meet McFadden’s cross. Unclear if Dealbert impedes him, though.

34mins: Popov inches away from getting onto Balde’s clipped through ball. Would have been a certain goal otherwise.

29mins: Good football from Francis-Angol, Lasley and Vigurs there. Just lacking the final through ball from Vigs.

28mins: Tsorayev goes for the top corner from 25 yards but curls it well over.

25mins: Great tracking from Lasley as he shadows Kabore into the box and knocks it off him for a goal kick

21mins: Balde strikes the bar from 20 yards. A real warning sign of what he is capable of.

20mins: Corner to Motherwell…… McFadden heads the deep delivery past at the back post.

15mins: Quarter of an hour in and ‘Well are coping admirably. Clearly the Russians have quality but ‘Well holding strong.

10mis: Danger! Free kick from 30 yards…….Popov drills it into the wall!!

Moments before that, Vigurs slid in Sutton who shot tamely to Belemovs left. Easy gather.

4mins: Wow! Great chance for Balde, thankfully he clipped his volley inches past Hollis’ post from close range.

1min: Half chance! Vigurs drags left footed shot just wide from 20 yards.

And we’re off!

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

“It was the same old story. We’re getting corners and then they break away and, bang – game over.

“We were still in at 1-0 and the second goal’s just killed it.”

“We worked really hard, we probably can play better but we’re up against a really strong side. It would’ve been nice if Sutton’s header at the end had gone in.

“As disappointed as we are, there were some bright individual performances. Zaine was terrific in the second half. He looked excellent going forward for us.

“[James McFadden] needs another three or four games to be at the top of his game. He won’t play against defenders like that every week, that’s for sure.

“I don’t like doing this but if you compare budgets and you compare players, our lads gave as good as they could. They are a strong, strong side. They’ve not been beaten since November and you could tell why. They’re very organised and disciplined and a yard sharper.”

FC Kuban manager Dorinel Munteanu:

“I congratulated the players after the match but I reminded them that there’s a second game and we have to be extremely focused.”

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

[poll id=”150″]

Djibril Cissé admits he is wary of the threat of ‘Well forward James McFadden ahead of their Europa League meeting at Fir Park.

The pair have previously faced each other in Merseyside derbies and will come face to face again in the first leg of the third qualifying round tomorrow night.

Former Liverpool forward Cisse, who joined Kuban from QPR this summer, said: “He’s a really good player, a really talented player. He’s quite dangerous.

“I can’t say that I really know the team but we’re doing videos to get to know them better.”

Cisse is not certain to start given he joined Kuban midway through their pre-season campaign and an even more recent signing is head coach Dorinel Munteanu.

The Romanian was only officially confirmed as Kuban’s head coach today after they agreed a deal with his former club Mordovia Saransk.

[pullquote]He’s a really good player, a really talented player. He’s quite dangerous.[/pullquote]

Although he has been orchestrating matters behind the scenes during the first three games of the Russian season, the 45-year-old was relieved to face the media for the first time as the club’s manager.

Munteanu, who won 134 caps for Romania, said: “It was a period of uncertainty and it was quite hard when it wasn’t official.

“Finally it’s all solved and I’m happy that I can sit on the bench for the European game.

“It took some weight off my shoulders and I feel more confident. It’s good for the fans too because now we are all one team.”

Kuban have taken five points from their opening three league games but suffered a blow last week when playmaker Aras Ozbiliz joined Spartak Moscow.

However, Munteanu is comfortable with the state of his squad.

“Motherwell have a reputation as a fighting team and they finished second in the Scottish championship, so they are a really good team,” he said. “I have enough information on them.

“But I am pretty confident about my own team. The first three games were quite difficult, they were a test, but we got through it.”

Skipper Keith Lasley hopes ‘Well’s in-depth preparation for tomorrow’s Europa League clash can give the hosts the edge.

Working extensively with performance analyst Ross Clarkson, Stuart McCall and the squad have had the opportunity to watch the Russian side at length.

The team have been going through meetings every day this week to try and better understand their opponents, who haven’t lost for fifteen matches, stretching back to November 2012.

And the veteran midfielder is more than aware the qualities stretch beyond summer marquee signing Djibril Cissé.

[pullquote]It’s not a case of just focusing on one player, we need to be on it from number one to eleven to give ourselves any chance.[/pullquote]

Speaking to the broadcast media at Motherwell’s pre-match press conference, the 33-year old said: “We’re aware of  what Cissé can do but expect them to have quality throughout.

“It’s not a case of just focusing on one player, we need to be on it from number one to eleven to give ourselves any chance.

“We need to look at the team as a whole and  that is what we have done over the last few days to see where we think there may be some potential weaknesses, not forgetting it’s about us as well. It’s about how we perform too and hopefully tomorrow night we can be on top of our game.”

-WATCH THE FULL PRESS CONFERENCE ON MFC TV–

‘Well boss Stuart McCall hopes mistakes of the past serve him well ahead of tomorrow’s Europa League clash with Kuban Krasnodar.

The Steelmen lost at home to Panathinaikos and Levante in two very similar games.

In both, the Fir Parkers were hit on the counter-attack after chasing an equalizer.

McCall reckons not only has his side learned a harsh and valuable lesson, but he himself will need to be more streetwise.

[pullquote]I’ve probably learned from that because as much as we were on top, we forced corners, free-kicks and loads of play in and around their box, we got caught with pace on the counter and the tie was effectively lost with the second goal.[/pullquote]

Speaking to the gathered press and Motherwell’s pre-match news conference, McCall said: “Looking back at the games, I probably got caught up, particularly the Levante game, thinking ‘we can go and win this’.

“We had just lost a goal right on half-time and were 1-0 down. The crowd was really behind us, we were throwing bodies forward and I am probably the type of manager that encourages that and would want my side to go and have a go.

“I’ve probably learned from that because as much as we were on top, we forced corners, free-kicks and loads of play in and around their box, we got caught with pace on the counter and the tie was effectively lost with the second goal.

“You need to look at Europe that little bit different and I would say that is the main thing for me.

“For me not to get too caught up with it and for the lads at the back to not get absorbed in the atmosphere and the occasion and remain switched on.”

-WATCH THE FULL PRESS CONFERENCE ON MFC TV–

The Steelmen Matchday Magazine returns for a 84-page bumper edition when Kuban Krasnodar visit Fir Part in Europa League action.

Motherwell face their tenth European tie in the last five years and will meet the Russian Premier League side. The one-off Europa League cover certain catches the eye and it’s an edition you won’t want to miss.

But what is inside the 84-page issue?

‘Well boss Stuart McCall and Captain Keith Lasley both return with the regular columns. The manager gives a rundown of what we likely expect from Kuban and how he plans to try and beat them. The skipper reflects on more Euro nights at Fir Park and his hopes to finally progress to the latter group stages.

The feature interview is with legendary left-back Stevie Hammell, who hopes to make more history by becoming Motherwell’s most apped player in Europe and make his Scotland return at Wembley all in the same month.

The features and big names keep coming…

There is a 14-page section dedicated to our visitors, FC Kuban Krasnodar.

Kris Jack goes introduces the side and breaks down each player’s vital statistics.

Former Liverpool, Lazio and Panathinaikos hitman Djibril Cissé is the man in the spotlight for our opposition Q&A where he talks about his move to Russia and his hope of winning his spot back in the French International side.

Russian journalist James Appell looks at a summer of change at the Kuban stadium and the Press Association’s Gavin McCafferty has ten facts you might never have known about Krasnodar. We also have a general look at the Russian football scene.

The features and big names keep coming…

In our Interview Alumni section, we catch up with former Steelmen midfield maestro, turned BT Sport presenter, Gary McAllister who talks about his time at Fir Park and his new role.

We also catch up with former Sibir Novosibirsk boss Alex Miller who chat’s about Kuban’s goal-getting Frenchman Cissé, who he worked with at Liverpool.

Motherwell’s all-time European hitman Jamie Murphy also takes time out to chat, remembering some fantastic games and goals for ‘Well on the continent.

Press & Media Manager Alan Burrows returns in ‘The Last Word’, Graham Barnstaple jots down his memories from the Third Qualifying Round draw and there is also a match-by-match breakdown of the clubs’ pre-season programme.

But wait, there’s more! There are ten tough questions in our Quiz, the latest news section, an update from our Community department and their grant from ‘Healthy Hearts’ as well as a full fixture list for the season.

We have the latest from The Ticket Office, the Commercial Department, and update from the Well Society as well as the latest stats, facts and figures from the 2012/2013 campaign.

The programme is available for £4 and will be on sale from the Club Shop as well as the usual sellers located in and around the ground pre-match.

You can also order back editions or take a season-long subscription to the magazine by visiting the website of our publishers – Curtis-Sports –http://www.curtis-sport.com/

Motherwell Football Club can today confirm the loan signing of Estonian International striker Henri Anier from Viking Fotballklubb.

The 22-year old came highly recommended by his Estonian teammate and former ‘Well forward Henrik Ojamaa and is the eighth new face of the summer.

The forward has already pulled on the Claret and Amber in a pre-season friendly against Newcastle Utd before scoring in his second match against Morecambe.

Anier came through the youth ranks at Flora Tallin before spending a year at the Sampdoria Academy in Italy.

He signed professional for FC Valga Warrior, netting 13 league goals in 24 starts in his rookie year. His performances earned his a move to Flora where he spent three seasons, scoring 52 times in just 86 matches.

That form earned him at move to Norway and Viking Stavanger. His time in Norway hasn’t been as profitable and he has been farmed out on loan to Fredrikstad Fotballklubb.

[pullquote]My first impressions are really positive; the lads are really friendly and everyone from the manager to the rest of the staff are great so I’m really happy to be here.[/pullquote]

Anier has been ever-present for Estonia’s youth national teams. He won his first cap full cap against Chile on 19 June 2011 and Uruguay on 23 June 2011, although he had played in non-FIFA Internationals prior to those games.

He scored his first goal for Estonia on November 2012 in an international friendly game against Oman. Further goals against Andorra and Trinidad & Tobago have followed, taking his tally to three in seven for the Sinisärgid.

He joins the Steelmen on an initial six-month loan and will be a part of the squad that faces FC Kuban Krasnodar this Thursday.

Speaking exclusively to MFC TV, Anier said: “I’m really happy to join and I’m really looking forward to starting.

“My first impressions are really positive; the lads are really friendly and everyone from the manager to the rest of the staff are great so I’m really happy to be here.

“I want to keep working hard and do really well for the team and hopefully we can be successful this season.

“Henrik (Ojamaa) is my good friend and recommended me, telling me all positives about the club so I’m delighed to have joined Motherwell.”

-WATCH HIS FIRST INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV–

‘Well fans who are subscribed to our e-newsletter got this information first. Click Here to join to ensure you don’t miss out on the breaking news from Fir Park.

The Fir Park Ticket Office will be open late all this week for fans looking to buy Europa League tickets.

Tickets are priced at:

* Concessions are listed as over 60s and full-time students with a valid matriculation card.
* Juveniles are listed as sixteen and under.
* Family 1 tickets include one adult and one Juvenile.
* Family 2 tickets include one adult and two Juveniles.
* Prices are for all stands, although the Maxim Office Park Stand will only be sold after the other three are sold out.
* 2013/14 Season Ticket holders seats have been reserved until Saturday. Any not purchased before close of business on Saturday will then go on full general sale.
* If Season Ticket holders cans make note of their relevant seat numbers before purchase, it would help speed up the sales process at the Chapman Building.
* The match will kick-off at 7.45pm

The office will be open:

Monday 29th & Tuesday 30th July: 9.15am – 6.30pm
Wednesday 31st July: 9.15am – 8pm
Thursday 1st August (Matchday): 9.15am – kick off

Highlights from Fir Park as Motherwell and Nottingham Forest played out a 1-1 draw.

-WATCH THE FULL HIGHLIGHTS ONLY ON MFC TV-

Stuart McCall declared himself satisfied after finishing the pre-season programme with a 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest.

Billy Davies’ men came out the blocks flying and took the lead after 11 minutes when Matt Derbyshire finished off a neat counter-attack.

As the game worn on, ‘Well forced themselves into things and eventually drew level through Bob McHugh, the striker finishing well after good work on the left flank by Zaine Francis-Angol.

It brings the curtain down on the pre-season preparations for 2013/14, with ‘Well drawing with both Forest and Doncaster, losing to Newcastle and beating Morecambe and Cowdenbeath.

[pullquote]You want to come through your last game before the European game without any serious injuries and although we had to take McManus, Vigurs and Hutchinson off, they probably all would have stayed on had it been an SPFL game and they’ll all be fit for Thursday.[/pullquote]

McCall was satisfied with how things went and is now looking forward to Thursday night’s Europa League clash against Russian side Kuban Krasnodar.

He told MFC TV: “It was tough early on. They came with a diamond and we struggled in the early stages to cope with that but once we matched them up we gave as good as we got against a strong Nottigham Forest side and made a couple of chances before half time.

“I think we merited the goal when it came and I was really pleased with the workout we got. It was a tidy finish from Bob who has been looking sharp in training and I’m pleased for him.

“You want to come through your last game before the European game without any serious injuries and although we had to take McManus, Vigurs and Hutchinson off, they probably all would have stayed on had it been an SPFL game and they’ll all be fit for Thursday.”

-WATCH HIS INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV–

In their final game before the Europa League tie, ‘Well had an entertaining and evenly balanced workout with Billy Davies’ side.

Forest dominated the early stages and took the lead through Matt Derbyshire. But ‘Well controlled play in spells and had chances of their own before Bob McHugh grabbed a deserved equaliser seven minutes from time.

Until the usual flurry of substitutes in the final half hour, with Stephen McManus, Shaun Hutchison and Iain Vigurs all withdrawn as a precaution with the visit of Kuban in mind, ‘Well had a settled look about them.

It was the Championship side though which started strongly and Andy Reid brought out an excellent stop from Lee Hollis in the opening minutes and the visitors continued to dominate early on.

The deadlock was broken on 11 minutes when Derbyshire slid home from Dexter Blackstock’s cross.

Stuart McCall’s side reacted positively and Danny Collins was twice forced into important clearances – where on both occasions goal scoring opportunities looked likely.

Jamie Paterson really should have done better when he latched on to Adlene Guedioura’s slide-rule pass, however he blazed high over.

Motherwell responded at the other end with Iain Vigurs heading over Simon Ramsden’s cross.

Bob McHugh fired just wide of the target as the hosts created their best chance of the opening half hour.

John Sutton came agonisingly close to levelling proceedings on the stroke of half-time when he threw himself at Paul Lawson’s pin-point delivery.

‘Well suffered an early second half blow and perhaps a concern for next week when Stephen McManus limped off after 49 minutes replaced by Fraser Kerr.

The rearranged Well defence almost conceded a second goal on the hour mark. From six yards Guedioura looked to have swept home Chris Cohen’s cross but Lee Hollis produced a remarkable reflex save to push the ball behind.

Three minutes later McFadden and Vigurs came off allowing Carswell and Francis-Angol 27 minutes to impress.

Stevie Hammell’s cross gave Sutton half a chance but his downward header was easily held by the de Vries.

Motherwell then passed up their best chance when Sutton nodded the ball into the path of McHugh who thumped a left foot drive against the keeper’s legs.

With 15 minutes remaining Lee Irwin and Gunnar Neilsen replaced Lasley and Hollis before the last two subs Euan Murray and Craig Moore came off the bench.

In terms of goal action Forest came close to increasing their lead when Ishmael Miller dragged his shot across goal and just wide of the post.

But with seven minutes remaining ‘Well grabbed the equaliser. Francis-Angol swept down the left before picking out McHugh 10 yards in front of goal. The on form striker took a touch before hammering the ball high past de Vries to take his pre-season tally to three goals and give a satisfactory end to the evening.

Motherwell: Hollis (Nielsen, 75), Hammell, Ramsden, Hutchinson (Murray, 78), McManus (Kerr, 52), McFadden (Francis-Angol, 63), Lawson, Sutton (Moore, 80), Vigurs (Carswell, 63), Lasley (Erwin, 75), McHugh