CSKA Moscow may have baulked at seeing their own name drawn alongside defending champions Real Madrid in Group G, but their home fixture against Los Blancos (at the VEB Arena on Tuesday night) could hardly have come at a better time.
Julen Lopetegui's side, while still second in La Liga, have won just two of their last five in all competitions and have scored just twice in the league since September 1. In addition, Lopetegui, who last left Russia on the eve of the World Cup with Spain, travels to Moscow missing a quartet of key players: Isco, Marcelo and Gareth Bale all have injuries, while captain Sergio Ramos is apparently being rested.