What did Zabolotny do?! Zenit launched the penalty shootout and advanced to the Cup superfinal!
Dmitry Zimin May 15, 2024, 23:20 Moscow time Audio version: Your browser does not support the audio element.
And the CSKA goalkeeper suffered a terrible injury.
This is the teams’ third game in two weeks. First, the cup match at the CSKA Moscow stadium, which ended 0:0, then the defeat of Zenit at home in the Championship with 0:1. This result severely damaged the defending champions’ chances of winning a sixth consecutive title. But there is also the Russian Cup: Sergei Semak was expected to use all possible resources for the second leg. And the opponent will surely have a nightmare 90 minutes. But when all kinds of prognosticators saw the starting lineup, some certainly had doubts.
In April-May the Zenit coaching staff really likes to surprise. And his surprises don’t always work. Instead of a nuclear base, absolutely cup players entered the field, some of whom appeared in the first game. The unexpected decisions were a plus: a defensive trio with Barrios, Rodrigao and Alip. Arthur and Pedro – as full-backs. But the main thing was the attack: Erokhin and Izidor had to be responsible for the goals scored in the match. Okay, a dream couple.
Fedotov turned out to be more predictable – not a single change compared to the championship match. The objective is clear: there is no chance of anything in the championship. Is it just because of the anti-record? But in the Cup there are good options to repeat last year’s success. Especially taking into account the rival that will play in the Superfinal.
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The match started as expected. Like the previous two. No one was advancing, no one was trying to take the initiative, and it was as if they were initially winning. Yes, Zenit traditionally had more possession of the ball, but micro-chances appeared only after set pieces. Pedro and Arthur on the flanks made no difference. In the 25th minute, Zenit’s possession was approaching 70%. And almost at the same time, CSKA created the first cool moment. After Arthur’s mistake, they went on the attack, Oblyakov passed to Zabolotny, but he simply missed from an advantageous position. Although his angle was close.
In the 32nd minute, already in the Zenit area: kick-off, Alip fought until the end, but instead of the ball he found Torop’s head. Monstrous collision. The doctors immediately ran out onto the field, but if nothing happened to the Zenit player, the CSKA goalkeeper simply could not stand after first aid. In his place came not Akinfeev, but the young Shaikhutdinov; For him it was his first game at the adult level.
Vladislav Torop after the collision
Photo: RIA Novosti
It seemed that Zenit was gaining an advantage. But they still had to be used. However, it is difficult to use something when the team’s play is sterile. And in the end, Arthur broke down too.
How the first runner-up was determined:
La-you-sho-nok! “Spartak” played the best game of the season, but in the final it was “Baltika”!
For the second half, Semak released Douglas and Erakovic. At the same time, he did not change the formation and the Zenit captain moved to the first flank. But this is quite forced. And already in the 47th minute, Zenit scored. Although Izidor was clearly offside. But something.
The game didn’t get any more fun. But the injuries continued. In the 55th minute, Fedotov replaced Moisés and Gaich. Both were damaged. And when a few minutes later Rocha collapsed on the grass… It’s hard to imagine what was going through Fedotov’s head at that moment. But it worked.
We wish Vladislav good health!
CSKA goalkeeper Torop suffers serious concussion
Semak released Cassierra, Mostovoy, Claudinho. Evidently, the coach was counting on a new wave of attacks. There weren’t any old ones, though. The visitors’ defense was reliable and in the last 15-20 minutes they hardly attacked.
Everything was heading towards the penalty shootout. And it arrived.
Everyone scored until Zabolotny arrived. The former Zenit striker’s shot was stopped by Adamov. Anton weakly rolled the ball not even into the corner – the goalkeeper really took the ball hard.
Zenit is in the Superfinal, where they will play against Baltika. But judging by this match, the team does not seem to be the absolute favorite.
