Krasnodar has won its first game of the new RPL season. After three draws in a row, the Russian vice-champion defeated CSKA at home. Murad Musaev’s team is starting to come to life.
Krasnodar is once again forced to play without its main striker Cordoba. The Colombian was injured in the last round in Voronezh and was out for at least a couple of weeks. But if Cordoba’s absence from the hosts’ squad was not a surprise, Musaev was surprised by some other personnel decisions. Tormena, Chernikov and Krivtsov sat on the bench. However, the Brazilian appeared on the field in the 18th minute, replacing his compatriot Kayo. He appears to have suffered a serious knee injury. He landed unsuccessfully and was unable to make it to the locker room alone.
Unfortunately, Kayo’s substitution was one of the most memorable events of the first half. Football seemed like a mournful song. Apparently, the heat in Krasnodar took its toll, so they took a water break during the match. Although Krasnodar played the opening game cheerfully, they organized a couple of dangerous attacks through the right half-flank of CSKA’s defense, for which Diveev was primarily responsible. Spertsyan even sneaked into a good position and landed the first blow, but it turned out to be a kick.
Otherwise, CSKA, which seemed to be playing for a draw, successfully defended in a 5-4-1 formation and reduced the tempo. Marko Nikolic’s team did not have any counterplay as such. Suffice it to say that in 45 minutes the military team never shot on goal and made only eight touches in the opponent’s penalty area.
But before the break, two terrible events happened for the Muscovites. Firstly, their Brazilian defender was also injured. Willian Rocha, who was carrying the ball, hit the open posts of Spertsyan (Eduard avoided the yellow card) and could not continue the game. Lukin replaced him and the result was a goal lost in extra time. Krasnodar scored with their only shot on goal in the half. In a scoring attack through the centre, Moses Cobnan turned his back on young Lukin and rolled the ball to Butchi. Togo should have been approached more closely by Gaich, who did not block the blow. As a result, the ball went into the net of Akinfeev’s goal with a rebound off the post. By the way, Smolov was also absent in the Bulls’ request, so there was practically no alternative to Moses Cobnan.
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Realizing that such football cannot go very far, Nikolic stepped up the attack during the break: he released Faizullaev in place of Bistrovich and moved Oblyakov further forward. But CSKA almost missed the second goal in Krasnodar’s first attack. The moment was created by a brilliant opening between the lines, a run and a penetrating pass from Victor Sa. The Brazilian did everything he could to get Spertsyan’s goal, but this time Eduard was unlucky. The midfielder hit the crossbar, after which the ball landed on the goal line and flew into the field.
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With the score at 1:0, Krasnodar controlled the game. The army team raised the lines, but during the possession they allowed many mistakes. It seemed that Musaev’s team would score on counterattacks. But CSKA equalized the score. Koita, who came on as a substitute, threw the ball to forward Musaev, then flew into the penalty area and, after the Malian newcomer’s shot, Diveev managed to finish. The fourth goal of the red-and-blue defender this RPL season is fantastic! The VAR checked the episode for offside, but there was no offside. Another question is that Diveev apparently remained in the Krasnodar penalty area after an erroneously awarded corner, when the referee ruled a foul on Spertsyan. Coach Musaev received a yellow card for arguing.
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This match could have been a big disappointment for Murad Musaev. “Krasnodar” played better, in the 90th minute, according to statistics, they led in shots – 14:2. But in terms of hits the score was 1:2. With this implementation, you can draw not three, but all 30 rounds, being stronger than your opponent. But in added time, the “bulls” still scored the winning goal from a corner kick! Tormen missed right in front of the goal – the Brazilian freely headed the ball. Koita cleared the ball, but from behind the line.
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In the heated finale, coach Musaev almost missed the victory thanks to forwards Musaev and Kislyak, but objectively CSKA did not score more than one goal in the second half.
