Russian champions Rubin and CSKA Moscow go into the first matches of the 2009/10 Champions League group stages this week full of confidence after easy home wins at the weekend.

CSKA, under new manager Juande Ramos, travel to Germany on Tuesday to take on Bundesliga champions VfL Wolfsburg after a 3-0 win at home to Krylya Sovetov on Saturday.

"We`ve had time to study Wolfsburg," Ramos, who took over at the former Red Army side last week, told Sovetski Sport. "We`ll try to exploit their weak points. "

"I joined the team after the transfer window closed," the ex-Real Madrid, Seville and Tottenham Hotspur coach went on. "But I knew the footballers and in these five days I`ve had the chance to get to know them a bit better. I`m sure they have more than enough talent to reach the knockout stages of the Champions League."

Rubin also start their campaign away from home, with a game on Wednesday against Ukrainian champions Dynamo Kiev, managed by former CSKA Moscow coach Valery Gazzayev. With Barcelona and Inter Milan also in their group, Rubin will be looking to secure three points in Kiev before facing the European giants.

Rubin moved six points clear at the top of the Russian Premier League table with a 5-1 destruction of Saturn on Saturday as second-placed Spartak Moscow could only draw 1-1 away to cross-town rivals Dynamo.
sections: Sport