The second consecutive indistinct game “Zenith”

Fans of blue-white-blue, who came to the team’s away match at Luzhniki, hung out a banner in support of the defender of St. Petersburg Dmitry Chistyakov. It says: “Truth and honor is Dima.” Dmitry Chistyakov got into the application of “Zenith” after the scandalous story that happened due to the mistakes of the candidate for the Russian national team in the match with “Akhmat”. This is perhaps the most important thing that happened in the last game before the winter break for both teams. RPL. 17th round. Luzhniki. Torpedo 0:2 Zenit. Goals: Malcolm – 70′, Claudinho – 81′.

Yes, the St. Petersburg team won and left for the winter holidays as the leader of the championship. But the way Zenit did it does not deserve a good word. Guests until the seventieth minute walked across the field, and played more chess than football. Cross transmissions, a minimum of aggravation, an initiativeless attack, “zero” Sergeev, too impulsive Mostovoy and “one and a half” Kuzyaev.

About the “Torpedo” and this can not be said. The team was either afraid of the future champion, or was already on vacation (although there are still two more Cup games ahead), or something was wrong with the mood again (for the hundredth time in a row), or this is the level of car manufacturers now. The latter is closest to the truth.

The leader of the RPL, after a mediocre loss in his field in the last round to Akhmat, was obliged to show his own fans, specialists, and even himself that the “drain” of the Grozny residents was an unfortunate oversight. Moreover, the blue-white-blue fans created a completely homely atmosphere for their team at Luzhniki. That’s just the players did not support them. “Zenith” was clearly not thinking about the game, everyone was already thinking about #ballikipredubaiseishema. Petersburgers had the only real moment in the 41st minute, when the torpedo team “slept through” the counterattack two to three. But even here Peter could not score.

Semak’s team not only lazily moved the ball, it also practically did not hit Baburin’s goal. The black-and-whites easily coped with Zenit’s obscure attacks, and the high pressure bore fruit. And despite the fact that the guests have scored 38 goals more this season, and the hosts have conceded 21 goals more. “Torpedo” for the first time really bothered Kerzhakov at the end of the match – the former Zenit player Smolnikov had a chance, albeit very small.

Triple replacement Andrey Talalaev did not bring anything worthwhile to Torpedo, but Zenit was rescued by the Brazilians, who in 10 minutes organized two goals in the car factory net. First, Claudinho shot dangerously, and then played a “two” with Malcolm. This was enough to open the scoring in the match. And then Claudinho himself scored, using great passes from Mantua and Cassierra. So the legionnaires of “Zenith” made a difference, and with a sense of accomplishment they can fly to rest at home.

“A good, fairly high-quality and confident victory in the performance of our team. Satisfied with both the result and the quality of the game in terms of creating scoring chances. And defensive play too – the opponent was not allowed to create anything. Good job win. It’s very good that we were able to complete this part of the championship on such a note, ”Sergey Semak said at a press conference, summing up the first part of the championship for Zenit.

“As long as they could, they endured, carried out the installation. The players played with discipline and coped with the best team in Russia. Unfortunately, nothing worked in the attack. No penetrating passes, no back movements. Some half-moments, ricochets. We can’t even beat them. There is an opportunity for good fruitful work during the break – in the transfer field and in the training field. Ahead you need to add skill and interaction. Smolnikov could score from the rebound. It was necessary to score at least one goal before the holidays. Did not work out. Feelings upset. In the second half, Zenit increased the speed, diversified the game with substitutions, strengthened the flanks. We tried to oppose what we have. Didn’t make it. The St. Petersburg club deservedly won, ”Torpedo coach Andrey Talalaev summed up the lost match.

Vladimir Sabadash.

Photo – Sergey Vinogradov.