No underestimation
PRE-GAME BREAKDOWN
The Red-Blues held a practice session in Krylatskoye, after which they went to Sheremetyevo and flew to the banks of the Volga on a regular Aeroflot flight.
The roster of CSKA on the road will remain unchanged. Aleksey Shved and Semen Antonov, as well as young Filipp Gafurov, remained in Moscow to recover.
WORD TO THE COACH
Emil Rajkovic, CSKA head coach:
We played well in first two games of the series and we will stay focused to finish it and start preparations for the next round. Avtodor was missing two significant players in Moscow so we do not underestimate our opponent. We know they will play with different level of energy in front of their fans so we will need to play really serious.
PAST MATCHUPS
Wins/losses: 63-16
Games of 2022-23 VTB League season:
23-Oct-2022. Avtodor – CSKA: 75-102 (+27)
23-Nov-2022. CSKA – Avtodor: 103-76 (+27)
31-Mar-2023. CSKA – Avtodor: 103-68 (+35)
02-Apr-2023. CSKA – Avtodor: 111-85 (+26)
SHORT DOSSIER
Avtodor Saratov
Founded: 1960
Colors: black, white
Home court: Kristall Ice Palace (5,500)
President: Vladimir Rodionov
Head coach: Branislav Vicentic
Website: www.avtodor.ru
Trophy case: 4-time Russian League runner-up (1994, 97, 98, 99), 2-time Russian League bronze winner (1992, 96), EuroCup semifinalist (1998), Superleague A champion (1997, 98), Superleague B champion (2009), Superleague champion (2013/14)