The game had certainly picked up the pace before halftime, and both teams carried through the momentum to the second half. Hiddink's side were desperate for more goals, and a corner kick led to a goal by Jucilei. No pretending from the home team could hide a most evident handball assist, however. The goal was disallowed, and Boussoufa promptly sent off. Yet Anzhi is a formidable team even with a player down, so it wasn't long before Yuri Zhirkov got his team the 2-1 lead. Dan Petrescu produced multiple substitutions, but it would take time for any of them to have an impact - Eto'O picked up a nice pass from Ahmedov and sent the ball flying in to the far post. The Moscovites were two goals down and had a little over 20 minutes to conjure up a storm. The tide began to turn when the subbed-in Gatagov received a cross from Dzsudzsak. Gadzhibekov failed to mark the midfielder, giving the latter a far post finish. The Moscovites kept up the pressure, and, in true sporting fashion, saved the best for last. The enigmatic Kevin Kuranyi got the header he'd been waiting for and saved the day for the Blue-and-Whites. Anzhi lost to Dynamo for the first time since April of last year in a game that was aptly described as "exciting" and "dramatic" by both managers.
A draw is as good as a win at Anzhi-Arena, but a team like Dynamo should not have to resort to scrambling from rock-bottom to salvage a point. "I didn't like that we conceded goals in key moments," Petrescu said in a post-match interview. "[We conceded] after scoring the first goal, and then after the opposition had a player sent off." The manager pinpointed "lack of concentration" as the Moscovites' key issue, although it was evident that excluding the veteran keeper Roman Berezovsky from the starting 11 was a major factor as well. Though clearly not satisfied with a draw, Guus Hiddink rightly commended his players' efforts and joined a growing list of managers in acknowledging the level that Dynamo has reached in the current season.
The match proved to be only one of this week's most heated fixtures - the Moscow derby had its own share of drama as CSKA managed to eke out a draw against Spartak after being 2 goals down.
Russian Premier League - 25th Matchweek
Sunday, April 21, 2013, 10:30AM EST
Anzhi Makhachkala vs Dynamo Moscow - 3:3 (1:1)
Venue: Anzhi-Arena
Referee: Sergey Lapochkin
Goals:
0:1 (37') Christian Noboa
1:1 (41') Mbark Boussoufa (Asst. Samuel Eto'O)
2:1 (51') Yuri Zhirkov
3:1 (67') Samuel Eto'O (Asst. Ahmedov)
3:2 (73') Alan Gatagov (Asst. Balazs Dzsudzsak)
3:3 (88') Kevin Kuranyi (Asst. Aleksandr Sapeta)
Full Time Stats:
Goals: 3:3
Shots (on target): 11 (6) : 16 (6)
Possession (%): 49:51
Corners: 5:2
Offsides: 1:3
Substitutions: 1:3
Fouls: 10:15
Yellow cards: 2:4
Red cards: 1:0
After three scoreless ties in some of last week's hottest match-ups, the RPL's 24th matchweek started off as a blank slate between Dynamo and CSKA in this year's 3rd Moscow derby. Though a somewhat disappointing result for both sides, especially Dynamo, who are in a 4-way race to finish in the top 4, the match had its own unique flavor. A packed Arena Khimki watched on as leaders CSKA stormed the pitch at the start and end of the first half. With Vagner Love suspended and Doumbia out of the line-up, goal-scoring opportunities were on the shoulders of Ahmed Musa. The Nigerian forward played out a few combinations with Tosic and Cauna, but only one attempt posed any danger to the net. The absence of the Army Men's top strikers seemed like an opportunity for the Dynamo to grab a much-needed 3 points. Petrescu's side had another advantage as well - the return of Kevin Kuranyi and Aleksandr Kokorin from injury offered a different dynamic in the line of attack. Jakob Jantscher fed balls to the veteran forward, culminating in the Dynamo's best attempt. Though somewhat less active and not in his best form, Kokorin provided some vital passes, getting the ball to the subbed-in Davydov in the second half. Petrescu's side had some effective counters, and keeping that in mind, CSKA's Slutsky thought "it was important to preserve the balance between attacking and defending" in order to get past the opposition.
Yet neither team's strikers were sharp enough to score, and sloppy passes were a recurring pattern on the pitch, especially for the Dynamo. Petrescu's side didn't make as much use of set pieces either and neglected giving Christian Noboa the chance to deliver them. CSKA gave away possession much too easily for the Premier League's top team and may have ended the myth that a team can still be productive with few options up front. The absence of Love and Doumbia in the attack was akin to Manchester United playing without Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie - there was no finishing touch, no added aggression on the ball that could make the difference between a shot on goal and a wide attempt that earns a corner at best. The game can best be described as "passive-aggressive", with bursts of action at the edge of the 18-yard box and occasional challenges, some of which went unnoticed.
The draw is disappointing for a derby that leaves one wanting more. Nevertheless, the fact remains: CSKA have been unable to score against Dynamo since March of last year, and haven't won against the blue-and-whites since September 2009. Dan Petrescu was not at all upset. "Judging by the chances [we created] in the game, we were closer to a win and probably deserved it," said the Romanian expert. "We played against the best defense in the championship." Dynamo's Alan Gatagov, who scored the only goal in yesterday's game against the CSKA youth, reinforced the manager's timeless philosophy. "Every game is like a final," he said. "We should have no regrets, and everyone just needs to keep moving forward."
Both the Army Men and the blue-and-whites will have to gird their loins for the quarter-finals of the Russian Cup in five days' time. Although the Cup gives the Army Men a shot at winning the double, Slutsky has expressed a greater concern over the upcoming fixture in the championship. CSKA play Spartak in yet another Moscow derby on April 21st. The Dynamo have a trickier feat ahead, taking on a slipping but motivated Anzhi in both tournaments.
Russian Premier League - 24th Matchweek
Friday, April 12, 2013, 12:00PM ET
Dynamo Moscow vs CSKA Moscow - 0:0 (0:0)
Venue: Arena Khimki
Referee: Aleksei Nikolaev
Halftime stats:
Goals: 0:0
Shots (on target): 6 (0) : 7 (3)
Possession (%): 51:49
Corners: 3:3
Offsides: 4:1
Subs: 0:0
Fouls: 5:3
Yellow cards: 0:0
Red cards: 0:0
Fulltime stats:
Goals: 0:0
Shots (on target): 12 (1) : 10 (4)
Possession (%): 51:49
Offsides: 6:3
Subs: 3:2
Fouls: 12:12
Yellow cards: 2:1
Red cards: 0:0
 |
| Luke Wilkshire stops Ahmed Musa's attack. Photo: championat.com |
Yet neither team's strikers were sharp enough to score, and sloppy passes were a recurring pattern on the pitch, especially for the Dynamo. Petrescu's side didn't make as much use of set pieces either and neglected giving Christian Noboa the chance to deliver them. CSKA gave away possession much too easily for the Premier League's top team and may have ended the myth that a team can still be productive with few options up front. The absence of Love and Doumbia in the attack was akin to Manchester United playing without Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie - there was no finishing touch, no added aggression on the ball that could make the difference between a shot on goal and a wide attempt that earns a corner at best. The game can best be described as "passive-aggressive", with bursts of action at the edge of the 18-yard box and occasional challenges, some of which went unnoticed.
The draw is disappointing for a derby that leaves one wanting more. Nevertheless, the fact remains: CSKA have been unable to score against Dynamo since March of last year, and haven't won against the blue-and-whites since September 2009. Dan Petrescu was not at all upset. "Judging by the chances [we created] in the game, we were closer to a win and probably deserved it," said the Romanian expert. "We played against the best defense in the championship." Dynamo's Alan Gatagov, who scored the only goal in yesterday's game against the CSKA youth, reinforced the manager's timeless philosophy. "Every game is like a final," he said. "We should have no regrets, and everyone just needs to keep moving forward."
Both the Army Men and the blue-and-whites will have to gird their loins for the quarter-finals of the Russian Cup in five days' time. Although the Cup gives the Army Men a shot at winning the double, Slutsky has expressed a greater concern over the upcoming fixture in the championship. CSKA play Spartak in yet another Moscow derby on April 21st. The Dynamo have a trickier feat ahead, taking on a slipping but motivated Anzhi in both tournaments.
Russian Premier League - 24th Matchweek
Friday, April 12, 2013, 12:00PM ET
Dynamo Moscow vs CSKA Moscow - 0:0 (0:0)
Venue: Arena Khimki
Referee: Aleksei Nikolaev
Halftime stats:
Goals: 0:0
Shots (on target): 6 (0) : 7 (3)
Possession (%): 51:49
Corners: 3:3
Offsides: 4:1
Subs: 0:0
Fouls: 5:3
Yellow cards: 0:0
Red cards: 0:0
Fulltime stats:
Goals: 0:0
Shots (on target): 12 (1) : 10 (4)
Possession (%): 51:49
Offsides: 6:3
Subs: 3:2
Fouls: 12:12
Yellow cards: 2:1
Red cards: 0:0
The third Moscow derby of 2013 is guaranteed to be unpredictable. The league's current front-runners, CSKA, will play Dynamo on their shared stadium, Arena Khimki, this Friday April 12. Petrescu's side is looking to further extend their unbeaten run in the league to an impressive 10 games after last week's tie with Amkar. Although some fans have been far from impressed with the recent fixtures, there is much to be said about the 5th place team that started the 1st leg of the season in 16th. The race is on for the RPL's top 4, so a win would be a crucial result for the Dynamo, who, despite losing the first five fixtures, are now contenders for a fourth and possibly a third place finish. Dynamo is vying with some of this season's toughest sides, including Rubin, Kuban, and the Moscovites' age-old rivals, Spartak. Then there's Anzhi, the club that's been slipping as of late, conceding plenty of goals to teams in the lower half of the table despite a period of consistent success. Hiddink's side seems to have lost its spark, and it's questionable whether they'll be able to get back on track in time to cinch the title. The issue isn't just the team itself, but the fact that many clubs in the middle and lower half of the table have progressed tremendously. Just like many of Manchester United's successful fixtures in the EPL can be partly attributed to the acquisition of Robin van Persie, several teams in the RPL have taken advantage of the transfer window to strengthen their lines of attack. With Vagner Love back from his loan and Doumbia back from injury, the Army Men have upstaged Anzhi, sending them to 3rd place and creating a rather impressive 13-point gap in the league table (even Zenit is a whole 11 points behind CSKA). However, both teams face several challenges going into this match-up. CSKA's Love is suspended for the next game, as is Dynamo's Kuranyi, who got his last yellow for dissent during the match at Amkar. It is questionable whether Dynamo's top-scorer Aleksandr Kokorin will be fit enough to return to the line-up. Though several players as well as supporters have noted the negative impact of his absence on the pitch in the last fixture, the wise among the bunch rightfully understand that he's not the team's magic wand. It is likely that Dan Petrescu will take advantage of the opportunity to showcase some younger talent in the starting eleven, continuing his trend of testing less experienced players to create some friendly competition within the squad.
There's no doubt that CSKA manager Leonid Slutsky clearly remembers his team's two losses to Petrescu's side in the 1st leg; Dynamo were 12 points behind they surprised the Army Men with a shocking 2-0 blow in the RPL's 10th Matchweek back in September. The blue-and-whites' growing consistency and current level of fitness are more than enough to compensate for the gap between the two sides. Dynamo will look to secure the fourth spot in the table, while CSKA will focus on expanding their gap with second-place Zenit St Petersburg.
Russian Premier League - Matchweek 24
Friday, April 12, 2013, 12:00PM (ET)
Dynamo Moscow vs CSKA Moscow
Venue: Arena Khimki
