“The home team’s replacements couldn’t turn the game around” – Kommersant FM
[ad_1]
Lokomotiv Moscow was eliminated from the Russian Football Cup. In the quarterfinals of the Path of Regions, the railway workers lost to Ural with a score of 0:1. Clubs that play in another bracket, the RPL Path, cannot leave the tournament at this stage, but the semi-final match between Spartak and Zenit was still in the spotlight. About 30 thousand spectators gathered in the stands of the red-white home arena. The game ended in a loss for the Muscovites with a score of 1:2. Kommersant FM sports commentator Vladimir Osipov followed the development of events.
Before the matches of the National Cup, of course, the format of the competition was actively discussed: in order to be eliminated from the tournament, you need to have wings. According to the current regulations, even a team that loses in two games in the semi-final confrontation of the “RPL Path” does not leave the tournament, but will only continue to fight for the trophy in another bracket. All this allows mentors to release reserve players onto the field without blinking an eye. Both teams entered the match in Moscow without leading players. Commentator Gennady Orlov, who acted as an expert on the Match Premier TV channel, openly stated that such an approach is disrespect for the fans.
“Why didn’t Zenit field its stars today? If they are injured, make a statement. But if they are healthy, then they are obliged to work out the contract. We must respect our fans.”
But despite this, as they say now, rotation of the lineup, the match turned out to be spectacular. From the first minutes, Spartak turned on such speed that the guests missed one attack after another, and the goal of the Costa Rican Ugalde seemed quite logical. Only after this goal there was immediate talk that before scoring the goal, the red-and-white striker Alexander Sobolev played with his hand.
There really was a touch, but refereeing expert Leonid Kaloshin explained that according to the rules this is possible: “The situation is interpreted precisely as “contact of the hand and the ball,” but in no case “playing the ball with the hand.” If the ball, say, had bounced down from Sobolev’s hand, he would have handled it, turned around and sent it into the goal, then this goal should have been cancelled. And so everything is to the point, there can be no complaints about the refereeing at key moments of the game.”
However, this goal from Spartak did not help the hosts win. After the break, Sergei Semak released the main players onto the field, and with their help, Brazilian striker Pedro began to literally tear apart the red-and-white defense. By the 65th minute, his double brought Zenit ahead – 2:1.
The level of the 18-year-old newcomer to the team from St. Petersburg showed everyone that there are few such Pedros even in Brazil and the €9 million that the richest club in Russia paid for the player is absolutely justified. Especially if you keep in mind that selling this forward later will most likely turn out to be much more expensive.
Spartak coach Guillermo Abascal, of course, tried to change the situation, but the hosts’ replacements could not turn the game around. Thus, after the winter break, the Muscovites have only one victory in five matches. But the question of changing the coach in the national team still does not arise. It seems that the management has decided to let Abascal work at least until the end of the season.
Everything is clear with us – Telegram channel “Kommersant FM”.
[ad_2]
Source link