The tour program abounded with the best matches. At the main meeting on the weekend and throughout the summer, the Moscow “Spartak” and the St. Petersburg “Zenith” met. The result of the intriguing game became known after the signing of this issue of “RG” for publication.
But even without the “derby of the two capitals” there was something to see. In another derby, this time a full-blooded Moscow, Dynamo and CSKA competed against each other. This derby is also called “fraternal” because of the friendship between the fans of the clubs, but there was nothing brotherly on the pitch.
Volitional “dynamo”
The teams entered the heads-up duel weakened. One of the leaders of “Dynamo” Arsen Zakharyan still moved to the Spanish “Real Sociedad”. For obvious reasons, he wasn’t even on the app. For the third consecutive game, CSKA’s doors were opened with the absence of Igor Akinfeev, who was suffering from discomfort. However, the absence of the legendary goalkeeper, who was replaced by 19-year-old Vladislav Torop, did not affect the outcome of the match much. What really affected were the problems of the army team with the manning of outfield players. The rojiazules continue to sell their leading players: Bakhtiyor Zaynutdinov signed a contract with Turkish Besiktas, Colombian Jorge Carrascal is about to move to Dynamo. In this situation, CSKA is still not enough for the whole match. The army team totally dominated the first half, led the score, but didn’t even get a tie.
The blue and whites responded to Anton Zabolotny’s goal with a well-aimed shot from Ngamale, and Dynamo’s victory was won by a penalty taken by Fedor Smolov at the end of the match. By the way, the 11 meters were designated for handball by the same Zabolotny.
Having doubted the validity of the sanction, CSKA coach Vladimir Fedotov admitted that the team has problems with personnel.
– While we feel a certain imbalance in the composition, – said the specialist. – But we were late in time to close the holes, plus the players did not have time to recover after a difficult season. Of course, leave your mark. We will calmly bear this defeat, which we must also be able to accept.
This is CSKA’s second defeat in the championship. But “Dynamo” after an unintelligible start has won the third match in a row. “White-blue” demonstrate a remarkable character. In the victorious match against Zenit two days ago, they were also inferior on the scoreboard.
– I want the players to understand my football philosophy – said Dynamo’s helmsman Marcel Lichka. It is clear that not everything always goes according to plan. But I’m glad that today we were able to change the course of the game, we showed character and desire. Emotions after such a victory are the most positive.
“Bulls” failed
The victory allowed Dynamo to only approach the leaders, but not to catch up with them. The charming start was a success for Krasnodar, who won four games in a row in the championship debut, breaking the club record.
As Moscow clubs and reigning champions Zenit slipped, Krasnodar and Ural had the best RPL starts in their history.
Vladimir Ivic’s pupils had to get their fifth victory. In a home match with the “Locomotive” the hosts were in complete control of the initiative. But the total advantage translated into a single goal scored. Although the ‘bulls’ had a penalty, not taken by Eduard Spertsyan, and his own shot to the post from a direct free kick. However, this was not enough to win. “Loko”, the whole match fought back, just like in the previous round with the “Wings of the Soviets” from Samara, also, contrary to logic, rallied. In the seventh minute added to main time, Anton Miranchuk turned in an outstanding performance and the beauty of a volley.
– If there was a team on the field, it was our team, – the emotional reaction of the Krasnodar head coach Ivic can be easily understood. – The result that we do not win is not realistic. I don’t remember a single moment of the opponent. But it happens, it’s football.
“Locomotive”, although it was saved, but the “railroad workers” also have nothing to rejoice about. After five rounds, only one win. Not at all what was expected this season from Mikhail Galaktionov’s team.
As for Krasnodar, the southerners lost the chance to lead the standings on their own. The leadership now has to be shared with the main sensation at the start of the championship, the “Ural”. Belarusian specialist Viktor Goncharenko built a nice and efficient team in Yekaterinburg. The list of those offended by the Urals already includes CSKA, Spartak and Rostov. In the fifth round, the Yekaterinburgers, though not in the most spectacular game, managed on the road with Kaliningrad “Baltika” – 1:0.
In the next round, the ambitions of “Ural” will be tested by the current champion “Zenith”.
Statistics
“Rubin” (Kazan) – “Wings of the Soviets” (Samara) – 2:1 Goals: Gritsaenko, 11; Martynovich, 41 – Garre, 15.
Dynamo (Moscow) – CSKA (Moscow) – 2:1.
Goals: Ngamale, 46; Smolov, 83 (pen) – Zabolotny, 6.
“Baltika” (Kaliningrad) – “Ural” (Yekaterinburg) – 0:1. Goal: Kashtanov, 49 (pen).
Krasnodar – Lokomotiv (Moscow) – 1:1. Goals: Akhmetov, 47 – Miranchuk, 90+7.
“Sochi” – “Rostov” (Rostov-on-Don) – 4:0. Goals: Kramaric, 16, 69; Djordjevic, 28; Medvedev, 78.
Meanwhile
Argentine Lionel Messi has become the most successful player in football history. The League Cup, which Leo won with Inter Miami, was Messi’s 44th trophy in his career.
Lionel moved to Inter Miami from PSG this summer. Less than a month passed and from a common team, Inter became a winning club. The League Cup is a new tournament in which teams from the North American Soccer League (MLS) and the Mexican Championship participate. Inter are in the last 15th place in the MLS Eastern Conference. With Messi’s arrival, the Miami club won all seven League Cup games, with the Argentine scoring in each of them. In total, Leo accumulates 10 goals. In the final against Nashville he also scored, but the protagonist of the decisive match was Inter goalkeeper Drake Callender. In the penalty shootout, he not only parried the blows, but also scored himself. It was his accurate shot from 11 meters that gave Inter the victory (1:1, 10:9).
With the title, Messi’s team also received the right to play in the local Champions League. And immediately from the 1/8 final.
