The Caucasus Question in Russian Football

Anzhi Makhachkala celebrate

Sometimes football rivalry can go further than just fans’s distaste for other clubs and their traditions. False Nine Russian correspondent, Andy Shenk, looks at the Caucasus region in Russia and how the area’s recent success in football has exacerbated further tensions between ethnic Russians and their mountainous compatriots…

For many in the United States, Russia brings to mind only cold Siberian steppes and grey old women in frumpy grey overcoats. The stereotype is as propaganda-driven as Russia’s perception of America as one big dissolute reality TV show. Continue reading

Liverpool vs Anzhi Preview: Lacina Traore

Ahead of Liverpool’s Europa League clash with Anzhi, False Nine editor Hugo Greenhalgh profiles dangerman Lacina Traore…

Think of Anzhi Makhachkala and the first thing that comes to mind will probably be Samuel Eto’o. Continue reading