“Kuzyaev is our Toni Kroos!” The Russian pummeled France with a magnificent top-nine goal
Dmitry Zimin August 20, 2023, 18:35 Moscow time Audio version: Your browser does not support the audio element.
Such a ball will definitely go into the highlights of the season. Although Le Havre lost.
Le Havre surprised in the first round of the French championship. The team, which was returning to the big leagues, saved a draw in a match against a fairly strong Montpellier. So also on the road. Not a bad start for the guys who are expected to fight for survival.
The second match was no less interesting. The opponents are Brest. The middle peasant of last season, who, although he was closer to the outsiders, defeated the runner-up in the first match – Lance. And it left a very good impression. Accordingly, before the guest meeting with Le Havre, they were more likely to be perceived as favorites. However, that is what happened.
At the start of Le Havre, Daler Kuzyaev went out for the second round in a row. And again in the center three midfielders with a 5-3-2 scheme. The Russian was again not tied to a specific position and throughout the match he could be anywhere.
If, after the first match, the Russian was reproached for missing out on the field, then with Brest he drew attention already in the 14th minute, when Le Havre created the first dangerous moment. Kazimir fired from the right flank near the center of the penalty area, where Kuzyaev was left alone. But instead of a meaningful pass or accurate shot, he just rolled the ball further. A completely unsuccessful action, which the fans probably remembered the most. After all, the owners did not have so many moments.
Remember how, after the first match, Daler was accused of “bringing” at least one goal? It seems that there is a conditional reason even now. In the 28th minute, Brest opened the scoring with an effort from Castillo. But the attack itself is the fastest way out of defense. At that moment, Kuzyaev found himself in the position of a flanking defender, trying to cover the opponent’s center. It didn’t work. The ball rolled to Castillo himself, who easily overcame the goalkeeper.
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In the first half, the Brest players were much more confident. But control of the ball did not lead to the creation of chances. Rather, they demonstrated with power and force that globally they keep the situation at their feet. However, even now, Le Havre had a chance. For example, already in discount, Sumare was able to equalize the score, but shot higher from a lethal position.
After the break, Brest gave the ball to the opponent a little. And, apparently, he decided to switch to the game as number two. But Le Havre came out very charged. And it helped. From the left wing, Salmier shot from luxury to the penalty line, where Kuzyaev was left alone. And he hit raw. An elegant first goal in France’s career, which will definitely go down in the highlights of the season.
Daler Kuzyaev’s debut goal for Le Havre
Photo: Frame of the transmission.
It’s funny that Daler didn’t celebrate. The feeling that he once played in Brest. Or maybe we don’t know something?
It is true that the joy of Le Havre was short-lived. Four minutes later, the opponent scored the second: Castillo entered the penalty area, and three defenders of the hosts could not stop Brassier. He led the guests forward.
But after that, Kuzyaev’s team did not give up. On the contrary, they seemed to have a second wind. And Daler was a key mechanism in almost every attack under construction. But his shots were blocked (or the ball flew higher), and teammates did not always successfully dispose of good passes. But we can say for sure: the Russian was one of the best players in the last half hour. This is confirmed by the Whoscored portal, which gave it the highest team score: 7.6.
Daler Kuzyaev
Photo: hac-foot.com
And on social media, the Frenchman even compared the Russian to a Real Madrid player. “This is our Toni Kroos”, wrote a user after the goal. And in general, the assessment of his game is positive.
But Kuzyaev did not help the team to score points this time. In the next round, Le Havre will play Rennes away.
