GENEVA: In a season of few Champions League wins or points for teams trying to break into the elite, two newcomers get a rare chance Wednesday.
Krasnodar hosting Rennes reunites rookies on club soccers biggest stage. Both teams have gained their only points so far from each other, drawing 1-1 to open Group E in October.
Krasnodar and Rennes have since lost three straight against Chelsea and Sevilla, including 2-1 home losses for each last week to goals conceded in stoppage time.
Its been a tough initiation for those that gave the 32-team Champions League an unusually fresh look this season: newcomers Midtjylland and Istanbul Baakehir, plus Ferencvros on its return after a 25-year gap.
The five teams collective record is just one win from 19 — Baakehir beat Manchester United at home — and only six competition points gained from a possible 57.
At the other end, the 16 teams from the four highest-ranked leagues of Spain, England, Germany and Italy have combined for 41 of the 52 games…