PFC CSKA Moscow 0-0 FC Krasnodar
PFC CSKA Moscow: Akinfeev, Oblyakov, Bijol, Diveyev, Fernandes, Ejuke, Zaynutdinov (Dzagoev, 68), Mukhin, Chalov (Yakovlev, 57), Zabolotny, Akhmetov.
FC Krasnodar: Safonov, Vilhena, Sorokin, Kaio, Ramírez, Gazinsky, Krychowiak, Spertsyan, Claesson, Cabella, Córdoba.
Yellow cards: Oblyakov, 26, Yakovlev, 77 – Ramírez, 60, Vilhena, 82.
Referees: Moskalev (Voronezh), Zhvakin (Leningrad Oblast), Milyucheko (Saint Petersburg).
VAR: Kazartsev (Saint Petersburg), Petrosyan (Bronnitsy).
2 October 2021. Moscow. VEB Arena Stadium. 8 degrees. Overcast.
The first half of the game with the Moscow Army Team turned out to be full of action and more or less equal in terms of both teams’ performance. Considering dense fighting everywhere on a field of play, the teams traded periods of dominating the pitch but they did not manage to create too many chances. Safonov had to remain vigilant after the shots from Ejuke and Chalov though. As for the visitors, they produced a powerful ending to the first half, but unfortunately for them neither Spertsyan, nor Sorokin, or Claesson succeeded in scoring a goal from decent positions.
The Bulls seized the initiative after the interval and were effectively rewarded with a few prospective situations. Alas, Krychowiak failed to outsmart Akinfeev at close quarters and then he also hit the goalpost. Later Bijol made a necessary timely adjustment to a shot by Córdoba after a low cross from Spertsyan. At the death, Cabella did not fire a shot from a killing position and missed his chance, too. On the other hand, PFC CSKA could have totally scored a goal of their own as Safonov was forced to save his team after a shot from Zabolotny at first, and then Ejuke shook the woodwork.
On the 90th minute FC Krasnodar could have scored an opener again when Diveyev threw the ball out of the box with his hand after a flicked ball by Córdoba. The VAR intervention did not alter the decision made by the referee team, hence no penalty kick was ordered. As a result, the Red-blues and the black-greens ended the match in a total shutout after trading a couple of dozen shots.
PFC CSKA Moscow 0-0 FC Krasnodar
86 (16) Attacks (quick attacks) 91 (19)
15 Total shots 32
2 Blocked shots 14
9 Shots on goal 5
1 Woodwork 1
6 Scoring chances 6
86 Won duels 78
44% Ball possession 56%
346 (81%) Completed passes (accuracy) 435 (84%)
8 Corner kicks 7
2 Offsides 0
5 Fouls 11
