CSKA made its debut in the Brotherhood Cup. This is not the first match of the military team in the off-season, but it was the one that received the most attention. Firstly, the opponent is the Serbian club OFK Belgrade. Secondly, the application included the legendary 39-year-old Milos Krasic, who left football six years ago.
In fact, OFK is far from being the highest-ranking Serbian club. Last year it played in the First League, finished first there and was promoted. Belgrade’s squad is quite young: the average age of the team is 24.1 years. But at the same time it is very cheap: a total of 5.64 million euros cheaper than Kelven (6 million euros). This is the second-to-last result in the Super League. Nothing like the other Serbian teams in the Partizan Brotherhood Cup.
OFK is also interesting because it coached Milan Gaich and Sasha Zdelar for CSKA. Both were in the starting line-up for the match for their home team. Along with Igor Akinfeev, Igor Diveev, Daniil Krugov, Villan Rocha, Moises, Marko Nikolic’s old friend from Lokomotiv Rifat Zhemaletdinov, as well as Ivan Oblyakov, Abbos Faizullaev and Fedor Chalov. Krasic remained on the bench.
There were also hopes for another army legend to appear – Zoran Tosic, who also made it to the Brotherhood Cup, but this did not happen. He has not yet finished his career, he spent the last season in the Greek Lamia and is now looking for a new job. But Zoran arranged a roll call with the fans. Rolan Gusev, Georgy Shchennikov and Alan Dzagoev came to watch football.
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CSKA, as expected, immediately took the initiative. OFK scored first, but the joy of offside was short-lived. This was the only moment for the Serbs. The army team created so many threats that it is necessary to show the England players a video review of the match to edify them.
Then Gaich hit the defender from about ten meters. Then the Serbian defense did not allow Faizullaev to score and took the ball from under his feet in a tackle. Then Chalov missed from a lethal position. Then the goalkeeper effectively saved a dangerous header from Roshi almost at point-blank range. But in the 34th minute he cancelled the save and suddenly scored a goal himself, passing straight to Abbos. He did not miss the opportunity and rolled into the empty net.
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It was obvious that Zhemaletdinov had not yet come into form. Apparently, this is why the CSKA management is in no hurry to announce the signing. But Krugovoi’s signing was announced back in the winter, and for one reason: he was tearing up the left flank. Faizullaev’s team is clearly ready for exploits in the RPL.
During the break, Ilya Pomazun, Kirill Glebov and Tamerlan Musaev replaced Akinfeev, Zhemaletdinov and Faizullaev. The dominance continued. In the 47th minute, Moises made a brilliant diagonal pass behind the defenders to Musaev. Tamerlan calmly carried the ball past his opponent and crossed to the far post, where Gaich was preparing to score alone. He did so. The episode was overshadowed by a harsh challenge from the opponent. Milan lay on the turf for a long time, writhing in pain. He was soon replaced by Kelven. We are awaiting the verdict of the army doctors.
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A few minutes passed and Diveev made an assist for Oblyakov from the corner. By the way, Igor has not scored since May 7, 2023. Then Orenburg suffered in the Premier League.
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Nikolic realized that there was no point in worrying about the result anymore and made seven (!) substitutions: Rocha, Moses, Zdelar, Diveev, Oblyakov, Krugovoy and Chalov left, Agapov, Lukin, Ryadno, Kislyak, Bistrovich, Rivandi and Gaich came out. The last two organized another ironclad strategy: the Argentine picked up the ball on the right side and cut off a precise pass to the Iranian, who hit the near post.
Well, in the 89th minute something happened that many spectators had been waiting for: Krasic appeared on the field. Along with Shumansky and Yakovlev. The attacking trio Glebov-Gaich-Musaev went into the break. In order for Milos to be able to run at least a little, the referee added five minutes.
The Serbian veteran gave absolutely nothing away. He was shared with the ball several times and never lost it. He would have earned a foul too if the army attack had not continued. And then he gave an assist to Bistrovich, who clearly shot into the far corner. Maybe Krasic should now sign as a wild card? He didn’t even warm up!
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CSKA defeated OFK and took the lead in the Bratsk Cup standings. A sure win, beautiful goals – it was worth it. Although, of course, everything will be discussed in a different way.
Earlier, Dynamo stupidly missed the victory over Partizan:
Dynamo were launching a Champions League participant. But the incredible ending changed everything!
