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CSKA Moscow start out on UEFA Cup title defence [Fri Sep 16th, 2005]
Paris (AFP) - UEFA Cup champions CSKA Moscow open the defence of their title against Danish club FC Midtylland, while English clubs' hopes of making the second round are mixed.
Bolton manager Sam Allardyce has promised to shake up his side when they embark on their first ever campaign in Europe's second-tier club competition against Lokomotiv Plovdiv of Bulgaria.
The Trotters then have to face Manchester City in the Premiership three days later.
"We won't make too many changes but we will make some," said the Bolton boss, who saw his side grind out a goalless draw against Blackburn at the weekend.
"We've got to try and win the home leg comfortably enough so that we make sure we get through," said Allardyce. "But we've got to keep enough back to try to cope with a Manchester City side that is in top form.
"We'll be going there to face a team that's in confident mood and it will be difficult, but we'll focus on that fully once we've got the European dream out of the way."
One bonus for Allardyce has been the form of Henrik Pedersen, who has played three games as emergency left back in the absence of the injured Ricardo Gardner.
Allardyce was hoping to draft in Olivier Bernard during the transfer window but he opted for Rangers instead.
Gardner is now fit but was only given a place on the subs' bench against Blackburn.
Allardyce said: "Henrik has done another fantastic job for us. In the three games he has played left-back we have conceded just one goal and that was a penalty.
"God knows where we would be in results terms if he hadn't put those performances in, because who else would we play there? Henrik filled a huge role, which was a massive problem for us and he has done an exceptional job."
Holders CSKA meet Midtylland having become the the first Russian side to lift a European trophy when they beat Sporting Lisbon 3-1 in the final in Portugal last May.
Other English clubs in action include Everton, who have a tough trip to Dynamo Bucharest and Middlesborough, who host Greek side Xanthi.
Everton, who lost their UEFA Champions League qualifier to Spanish side Villarreal, face a tough start.
Dynamo beat Omonia Nicosia in their UEFA Cup second round qualifier to put themselves in the draw.
Everton manager David Moyes was confident that the Merseysiders could advance by securing a good result in their first leg in Romania.
"We don't know an awful lot about them but I will make sure I do before we play them," said Moyes."I am guessing it will be a tough game."
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