CSKA — MBA, 17 October 2022

PRE-GAME BREAKDOWN

The first Derby of Krylatskoye will be the home one for CSKA, although in fact the hosts of the Basket Hall are the MBA teams - men's, women's, youth.

The VTB League newcomers started the season brilliantly, having a streak of three victories at the start. CSKA and MBA share the lead in the standings, so on Monday someone will have to go down.

As MBA spent the whole week at home, CSKA spent it on an exhausting visit to Krasnodar. The Red-Blues didn't return until Friday night and have only had a couple of practice sessions since then in preparation for the next game.

WORD TO THE COACH

Emil Rajkovic, CSKA head coach:

MBA has a balanced team and good defensive system, their coach has done a great job of maximizing their potential. They play organized basketball with a lot of pressure on the ball, organized team pick-n-roll defense. They played really well in the first three rounds, and as against any opponent we have our plan that we will try to execute.

SHORT DOSSIER

MBA Moscow

Founded: 2011
Colors: white, red
Homecourt: Basket Hall Moscow (5,000)
President: Tatyana Kocharyan
Head coach: Vasily Karasev
Website: mbabasket.pro
Trophy case: Russian Major League vice-champion (2014)