CSKA Moscow coach Leonid Slutsky has played down the significance of the crowd ahead of his side's vital Champions League clash against Manchester City.
The Russian champions will be without any of their own supporters at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday, having been banned from selling tickets as punishment for the racist behaviour of fans.
The ground is now set to be full of home fans with City having introduced a "buy one, get one free" offer to sell up all remaining seats.
Slutsky insists it will not be a factor as his team chase their first win of the Group E campaign.
He said: "I don't think it will be the main advantage. The main advantage will depend on the game of both teams on the day."
Slutsky batted away the suggestion the game -- the fourth between the two clubs in just over a year -- might have become a grudge match.
The first meeting last October was marred by racist chanting aimed at City's Yaya Toure by CSKA fans and led to an official complaint by the English club.
Further repeat offences by CSKA supporters then meant the sides' clash in the Russian capital a fortnight ago, which ended in a 2-2 draw, was officially played behind closed doors. More controversy followed, however, as around 300 CSKA fans, assumed to have obtained sponsors tickets or media passes, did gain entry.
City also complained about this, but European governing body UEFA deemed nothing untoward had occurred.
Asked whether this increased needle between the clubs, Slutsky said: "I don't think we should compare our two clubs. We are clubs of different levels. We have had three matches and one draw. I would say we are at different levels and there can't be that kind of struggle [on Wednesday]."
Slutsky said he knew nothing about a report claiming City's players were unhappy with some of the hospitality they received in Russia two weeks ago.
"I don't know," he said. "I don't deal with organisational aspects."
CSKA are bottom of the group with just the point they claimed against City last month, when they fought back from 2-0 down. But, with Bayern Munich dominating, the battle for second place between Roma, City and CSKA could be close.
Slutsky said: "Bayern are obviously the favourites, but we have a chance. You can look on paper, but we will see what happens."
But Slutsky and defender Vasili Berezutsky were both in agreement that City represented a strong challenge.
Prior to the last meeting, CSKA striker Ahmed Musa branded City a "weak" team.
"As you can see, they are very weak this year," he said. "We are going to use that advantage against them."
CSKA are now denying Musa actually said that, with an official saying the Nigerian actually said he knew the strengths and weaknesses of the City team.
Berezutsky, speaking through an interpretor, said: "We have heard about Musa saying these words. Manchester City are one of the best teams. We doubt he said that because we do respect Manchester City."
Slutsky said: "Manchester City are a strong team; they have always been strong."