Valencia coach Miroslav Djukic has hailed the rise in standard of the Russian Premier League over the past few years.
The Serbian takes his team to face Kuban Krasnodar in the Europa League this evening, and warned his players that a stern test awaits them.
Los Che lost their opening match 3-0 at home to Swansea City, who he believes are now the favourites to qualify from Group A.
"We know we're going to be facing a tough team, Russian teams are always tough," Djukic told reporters.
"The level of their league has risen sharply in the last few years. They have a lot of good, international players.
"Right now Swansea are the favourites but we will try to recover the points needed to qualify."
The Swans take on Swiss side St Gallen at the Liberty Stadium.
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