Photos Red-army
Until recently, nothing definite could be said about Moscow. Skepticism for the time being was an adequate reaction to the high-profile transfer rumors and the protection of the city’s powerful people: Slutsky did not become “Russian Mourinho”, Figo did not come to Moscow. But the team did not fail the debut and subsequent seasons, settling in the upper half of the tournament table. History also refused to confirm any tendency: here victories over leaders are a sign of some class, and a memorable draw 3: 3 with Spartak is a proof of character. And yet, last season, Moscow was characterized most precisely by two diametrically different matches with Rostov - 0: 4 and 4: 0.
This season promises that the contours of the Streltsov stadium will appear more clearly on the city map. “Moscow” did not miss the longest, reached the semifinals of the Cup of Russia and met with CSKA in the role of CSKA neighbor on the first table line. And the match itself showed that the team is ready to maintain the status of leader and favorite not only with a residence permit, but with a game.
The first step taken by the “townspeople” on the path to gaining their own playing face was Slutsky’s refusal to play exclusively “according to his rival”. An energetic debut coupled with team pressure has repeatedly worked against Gazzaev, but did not let the opponent into the usual element of the Moscow counterattack - and did it right. The “townspeople” also ignored the army triangle in the center of the field, not compensating for it with a midfield seal. The only preemptive tactical action was the result of an injury to Peter Bystrov. Slutsky, on the other hand, transferred the left-hander Barrientos, who was running mainly on the right last season, to a more convenient flank, depriving the Argentinean of the need to confront the creative Zhirkov. Winger of the Russian national team tried to “eat” Goravsky and Gubnik, who were not really needed in the attack, while the inert Gusev did not interfere with Barrientos’s constructive agility.
An illustration to the game style of “Moscow” taking shape before our eyes was not so much a goal as a series of successful defensive actions that preceded it. Okoronkvo turned Jo out of the game, and the minute powerlessness of the defenders, who allowed the transfer of Zhirkov to Wagner Love, was compensated by Zhevnov, who pulled out a difficult ball. The forces were not only enough to fight back - the quick vertical attack launched by defender Kuzmin ended with Adamov's convenient pass to Barrientos. Fallen in the wrong direction, Akinfeev rushed to reprimand Rakhimich, who did not have time to block the blow in the tackle, but it was too late - 1: 0.
The return scoring attack of the army took place thanks to the same bunch of Zhirkov - Wagner Love: the Brazilian on duty in the penalty box was on guard for the goalkeeper's mistake. The participation of the two best players of CSKA in a successful episode confirmed that the class is taking its toll - but also testified to the inability of other players to free themselves from the collective attention of the opponent.
Another unexpected for CSKA weapons “citizens” were attacks by a small number of players. The second ball - he was the hundredth goal of Sergei Semak - flew into the goal of Akinfeev after a combination of Barrientos and the hero of the day. The movements and discoveries of Adamov and Bracamonte by partners were ignored - it is not known whether it was intentionally, but justifiably. Both goals were accompanied by a minimum of touches, which allowed to pass a competent positional defense of the army.
The Bracamonte game deserved special mention - in the middle of the second half, the Argentinean squandered two goals: he struck higher after Adamov’s excellent discount and was not able to make the last pass to him on the move. The guilty striker, however, had the strength to work out the remainder of the match with the fifth defender, winning the “air” at all standards at the gates of Zhevnov.
In the endgame, “Moscow” did not have enough strength - it was possible to punish indiscriminately attacking army men with a counterattack more than once or twice. But even if it was a potential draw, blaming the “townspeople” would not have raised a hand. One thing is clear - the match, which took away points from the champions of the country, will no longer seem a daring trick. "Moscow" did not take someone else's - its own.
Moscow - CSKA - 2: 1 (1: 1)
Goals: 1: 0 - Barrientos (28), 1: 1 - Wagner Love (43), 2: 1 - Semak (48).
MOSCOW : Zhevnov, Godunok, Gubnik, Goravsky (Chizhek, 70), Kuzmin, Okoronkvo, Semak, Barrientos (Krunich, 90 + 2), Bracamonte, Adamov (Golubov, 84).
CSKA : Akinfeev, V. Berezutsky (Ramon, 66), A. Berezutsky, Ignashevich, Sheberas, Gusev (Aldonin, 35), Rakhimich, Krasic, Zhirkov, Wagner Love, Jo.
Warnings : Barrientos (22), Gusev (31), Rakhimich (40), Bracamonte (44), Epuryanu (55), Okoronkvo (89).
April 22nd . Stadium them. E.A. Streltsova. 2 p.m.
Judge : Alexander Gvardis (Kaliningrad).