With the Russian league season ending in November, CSKA have not played a match since a 1-1 draw with Sparta Prague in their final Europa League group game on December 15. That was their only slip in an otherwise perfect campaign, which brought seven straight wins and an average of three goals per game as they easily topped Group F. But potential rustiness is a major concern for Slutsky as his side prepare for the first leg of their last-32 clash in Thessaloniki. He said: "It's too early yet to know how we will play. "It is difficult for a team to play again after an interruption like this. I'll be happy if we look at the minimum of what we did before the break." Mark Gonzalez and Sekou Oliseh have recovered from injuries but Slutsky will wait until tomorrow to decide on the fitness of Keisuke Honda and Vagner Love. The coach added: "We must cope with the absence of important players so it does not affect the organisation of the team." Captain Igor Akinfeev gave his team, the UEFA Cup champions in 2005, only a 50-50 chance of progressing to the last 16. He said: "We will look at how we can improve. We know each other, we have done intensive training, but it's all about tomorrow night. The chances of qualifying are 50-50 I think." CSKA's form before Christmas and their European pedigree has seen them tipped as potential winners of the trophy, but Akinfeev played down those hopes. The goalkeeper said: "Only the games will show what we can achieve. There are many candidates, not only from Russia but from England and other countries." First CSKA have to beat PAOK, and Akinfeev admitted the renowned atmosphere at the Toumba Stadium will be a factor. He added: "We have played in many stadiums and such atmosphere is unusual. Some are less crazy, some more crazy like here." In contrast to their opponents, PAOK were the lowest goalscorers to make it through the group stage, netting only five times as they finished runners-up to Villarreal in Group D. They are, however, unbeaten in their last six European home games and are boosted by the fitness of Vladimir Ivic, Vitolo and Lino.
