On 13 February FC BATE held a practice session at FC Minsk Stadium ahead of their Europa League clash against Arsenal on Thursday, BelTA has learned.
FC BATE Borisov held their major training camp ahead of the Europa League round of 32 in Turkey's Belek where they played a number of games. This preseason BATE roster considerably renewed. A number of leading players, including Mirko Ivanic, Nemanja Milunovic, Mikhail Hardzeichuk, Nikolai Signevich, Dzyanis Palyakow, Maksim Valadzko and others left the team. Alexander Hleb remains in the lineup. The forthcoming encounters will be special for him as he played for Arsenal in 2005-2008.
“We have an experienced team and are ready to show our best against Arsenal. For BATE, this will be another glorious page in the club's history,” said BATE Borisov head coach Aleksei Baga. Commenting on Mirko Ivanic, he said that such a strong and experienced team cannot depend on one player, even a very good one.
According to Alexander Hleb, the match against Arsenal will be difficult for the Borisov team. Arsenal is in the middle the season, while BATE resumed training not long ago. “The coaching staff decided not to force things as far as it is possible. We are ready for the game. We will try to make fewer mistakes, avoid risks. Tomorrow everything will straighten out. Arsenal's lineup is all new. The athletes I played with before are no longer on the team. Nevertheless, this is a top-tier team and it will be hard to play against it,” he said.
Arsenal footballers held practice in London on 13 February and are expected to arrive in Minsk in the evening. Belarusian Railways will deploy an additional zero-fare train to take fans from Borisov to Minsk after the match on 14 February.
Last season BATE and Arsenal played in one Europa League group, with Arsenal winning twice: 4-2 in Borisov and 6-0 in London. The game at Borisov Arena will start at 20.55 (local time) and will be broadcast live on Belarus 5 TV Channel.
Photos by Andrei Pokumeiko
