Rangers v Zenit - Key battles

Last updated: 13th May 2008

Carlos Cuellar ITV

Cuellar: Could be a key figure for Rangers

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Rangers play their first European final for 36 years when they meet Zenit St Petersburg at the City of Manchester Stadium. Here we look at the likely key battles.

IVICA KRIZANAC v JEAN-CLAUDE DARCHEVILLE

Krizanac has come to the fore since Martin Skrtel joined Liverpool in January. Before then, he had struggled to hold down a first-team place under Dick Advocaat, but the Croatian has been a regular in the team since the knockout stages began. Having kept the likes of Lukas Podolski, Miroslav Klose and Luca Toni quiet in the semi-finals he will not fear Darcheville in Manchester.

That could be a mistake, with the French striker having proved a real handful for opposing defences this season. He may not boast the best goalscoring record but the summer signing from Bordeaux is blessed with the pace and movement to stretch teams in the final third of the pitch. He is also a tireless worker, which helps create space for his Rangers team-mates.

ANATOLIY TYMOSCHUK v BARRY FERGUSON

Who comes out on top in the battle of the skippers could ultimately decide which of them lifts the UEFA Cup at the end of the match. Zenit smashed the Russian transfer record by paying Shakhtar Donetsk a reported 15million euros for Ukraine's defensive midfielder Tymoschuk in February last year. His acquisition coincided with Zenit winning their first league title for 23 years and they have gone from strength to strength since.

Ferguson is the heart and soul of the Rangers team and is manager Walter Smith's on-field lieutenant. Blessed with an excellent range of passing, a biting tackle and an eye for goal, the Scotland captain is arguably the most complete midfielder in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

ALEJANDRO DOMINGUEZ v CARLOS CUELLAR

Dominguez returned from a two-month injury absence to terrorise Bayern Munich in the 4-0 semi-final second leg victory, laying on two of his side's four goals. Signed for around 7million euros at the start of last year, the Argentinian is a typical South American forward, with great pace and technique. With the UEFA Cup's top scorer Pavel Pogrebniak suspended for the final, the onus will be on Dominguez and Andrei Arshavin to fill the void.

To do so, they must get past the newly-crowned SPL and Scottish Football Writers Association's Player of the Year. Spaniard Cueller has enjoyed a dream debut season at Ibrox after joining the club from Osasuna last summer. He has been the defensive rock upon which Rangers' unprecedented bid for a league and cup quadruple has been built and he was outstanding in the UEFA Cup semi-final win over Fiorentina.