Anzhi, Rubin salvage draws from Italy

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Published time: September 20, 2012 22:07
Edited time: September 21, 2012 02:15

Two Russian clubs, Anzhi Makhachkala and Rubin Kazan, have begun their Europa League campaigns with draws. Both outfits traveled to Italy and both conceded late goals to let victory slip away.

Anzhi, who were playing their first game in a main European tournament, couldn’t edge Udinese.

Ivorian Lacina Traore gave the Russian side a halftime lead, but the Italians snatched a 1-1 draw late on, courtesy of second half substitute Antonio Di Natale. The Italian international’s injury time strike rescued a point for the Serie A side.

In the group’s other game three-time winners Liverpool beat Young Boys 5-3 on the road to go top of the quartet.

The other Russian representative in the tournament had a more difficult task meeting Inter in Milan. Despite pre-match expectations Kazan didn’t give Inter much control of the game, but Japan’s defender Yuto Nagatomo, had the last say in the game and salvaged a draw for Inter .

The other two teams from Group H, Partisan Belgrade and Neftchy Baku, also ended their clash equal, 0-0.

nzhi Makhachkala's Cameroonian forward Samuel Eto'o (L) vies with Udinese's Brazilian defender Danilo Larangeria during an UEFA Europa League football match between Udinese and Anzhi Makhachkala at Udine's "Friuli" comunal stadium.(AFP Photo / Andreas Solaro)