Torpedo is stronger than CSKA in the Cup

Not very bright, with almost no scoring chances, but fighting in every sense of the game between the Moscow teams really turned out to be a cup game. The first victory as a Torpedo coach for Talalaev and the first loss of points in the Cup for Fedotov.

Fonbet Cup of Russia. Group D. CSKA 0:1 Torpedo. Goal: Čurić – 11′ (pen).

A rather small number of spectators, purely autumn rainy and cold weather, an inexpressive game in terms of implementation from both teams – this is the entourage of a derby. The owners of the arena once again held a charity event. Before the starting whistle of the match referee Anton Frolov, CSKA presented a chic and much-needed gift to one of its loyal fans: a disabled fan received a brand new mobile wheelchair, which he immediately switched to with the help of the army club staff.

The game itself was remembered for several unrealized moments – Chalov and Smolnikov, for example, did not realize exits on their own. Both goalkeepers – Vladislav Torop and Oleksandr Dovbnya – scored several saves, the referee turned to VAR a couple of times, and only one goal was scored, and that one from the penalty spot.

For the army again, a faded game was played by Jesus Medina. The fans were not very impressed with Bakhtiyor Zainutdinov, Milan Gaich, Sasha Zdelar, Victor Mendez and Fedor Chalov, who came out at the base.

And the only goal into his own net was organized by Maxim Mukhin. It was his “bring” – when serving from the corner flag, the young soldier hit Damien Le Tallec’s leg instead of the ball – and decided the outcome of the derby, albeit not as “fiery” as a couple of days ago at the same stadium.

Torpedo player Mario Čurić shot from the penalty spot indistinctly. Vladislav Torop, who replaced Igor Akinfeev for the cup match, practically repeated the feat of the number 1 goalkeeper in the country. But the young goalkeeper of CSKA almost had no luck with the “unfastened” leg, and the ball treacherously crossed the goal line.

And then there was the same one-on-one exit from Chalov. The defense of the Avtozavodtsev in the person of Le Tallec, who faced a defensive partner, provided the attacking hosts with a perfect chance. But here Alexander Dovbnya played superbly for Torpedo, not allowing the army team to level the score.

Torpedo continued to defend calmly, successfully meeting the opponent in the middle of the field. CSKA still scored: fast Yegor Ushakov, who played for the first time this season, opened the black-and-white defense like a tin can, and Ivan Oblyakov skillfully sent the ball into the net. But VAR canceled the goal due to Georgy Shchennikov’s offside position, although the ball bounced off the Torpedo player towards Oblyakov.

The triple replacement at Torpedo after the break indicated that Talalaev wants to see as many players as possible in action. Going out for CSKA Anton Zabolotny instead of Chalov did not bring fire to the attack of the army team. But the guests could increase the score. Once in a lethal position, the ex-defender of the Russian national team Igor Smolnikov had to decide the episode, but he made too many extra touches.

After that moment, nothing worthy of mention happened on the field. Already in stoppage time, the goalkeeper of the hosts Vladislav Torop went to the corner, however, he did not get a chance to equalize the score.

At the post-match press conference, the question of the Moskovskaya Pravda correspondent to the hosts’ coach Vladimir Fedotov concerned precisely this episode. The CSKA coach answered in detail:

“It turned out to be a real cup match with a lot of martial arts, no one wanted to concede. In the first half, we had the initiative, scored, created chances, but the execution let us down. In the first half of the meeting, with the exception of one moment in the 45th minute, they controlled the course of the game. And the beginning of the second half before the goal was scored was under our control. We created, but did not score from lethal positions. The score 2:0, again, served as the starting point when we began to let the opponent create their own half-moments, and Torpedo had the opportunity to score. The ending took place in a more or less calm atmosphere. We were looking for chances to increase the score, but we lacked accuracy in finishing shots. As for Torop’s initiative, it was agreed upon.”

“Congratulations guys on the win. There are no questions about the return and work. On the execution of chances, both we and CSKA have questions for the guys. The goalkeeper helped us out today, and we could score. In the second half, the game was worse on our part. We scored from the penalty spot, kept the result – the first step to consolidate the movement. I hope this will help us in the championship, ”Torpedo coach Andrey Talalaev summed up the game. Given the late time, the journalists congratulated the helmsman of the car factory on the victory and did not torment him with questions.

Vladimir Sabadash.

Author’s photo