In a perplexing contest rife with missed opportunities for the hosts, Spartak Moscow fell 3-0 to Anzhi Makhachkala at Luzhniki Stadion in week forty of the Sogaz Championship of Russia. With the result the Red-Whites slide one point behind Dynamo to third in the table ahead of next weeks Derby clash against CSKA.

From last weeks starting eleven that defeated Rubin Kazan, Spartak manager Valeriy Karpin made a single change with Alexsandr Zotov entering for Ari and was quickly impressed with his sides attacking spirit. From referee Vladislav Bezborodov whistle, the Red-Whites pulsed with attacking venom but as the score so indicates the final touch was lacking. The opening quarter-hour saw the grounds buzz with activity as Spartak appeared to be on the cusp of breaking the deadlock. Following Artem Dzyuba’s close range effort that bounded off the underside of the cross-bar and appeared over the bar, Aiden McGeady narrowly missed as he lashed the ball just wide of the left post. Slowly Anzhi began to edge forward but advances were modest and Red-White goalkeeper Artyom Rebrov was up to the challenge. Eight minutes shy of the break Emmanuel Emenike showed confidence as he raced onto a ball on the right and from an impossible angle near the by-line lofted an effort that nestled into the roof of the net. However as these situations can be, missed opportunities are the undoing and at the thirty-ninth minute Samuel Eto’o accepted Mehdi Gonzalez’s well crafted provision through the centre of the area and powered the ball into the net. Spartak quickly riposted with Aiden McGeady surging on the right before delivering a cross that was just beyond the reach of supporting attackers and without further incident the Red-Whites went to the break with the one goal deficit.

At the re-start the Red-Whites continued a bold approach but with each passing minute the threat of squandered opportunities weighed heavily on the outcome and just before the hour the margin was doubled. Coming via a lofted cross from the left into the box, the ball spilt from Artyom Rebrov mitts where Shamil Lakhiyalov quickly pounced on the opportunity and ripped it into the net. Down by two, Mr. Karpin added Jano Ananidze for Rafael Carioca but the run of the play clearly had shifted in the visitors favour. Following Samuel Eto’o’s free-kick rasped off the cross, Anzhi added the third goal of the day as Nicolás Pareja’s attempted clearance from the edge of the area managed to roll to the opposite corner of the net. Through remaining time Spartak continued for a way back into the contest but with the final whistle would rue miss opportunities in a disheartening 3-0 decision.

Prepared by John Davies
©Europa League News, 2012
All rights reserved

Lokomotiv Moscow continued its hunt for a berth on the European stage with a 1-0 victory over Anzhi Makhachkala in match day thirty-five of the Sogaz Championship of Russia. With the result Lokomotiv moves to a provisional third spot in the table, ten points shy of leader Zenit, ahead of Monday’s Moscow Derby clash between Spartak and CSKA.

With Railwayman manager José Couceiro deploying the attacking trident of Roman Pavlyuchenko flanked by Felipe Caicedo and Dmitri Torbinski on the right and left side respectively, the Cherkizovskaya faithful urged their side onward but chances were non-existent in the opening forty-five minutes.

At the re-start the Lokomotiv tactician summoned Alberto Zapater for Dmitri Tarasov yet the complexion did not change as both goalkeepers were relegated to spectators. However with seventeen minutes remaining in regulation time the Railwayman notched the contests lone goal with Felipe Caicedo not to surprisingly the architect. Accepting the ball from Magomed Ozdoyev mid-field, the Ecuadorian international surged down the right channel before sending a low provision to Denis Glushakov, with help by a clever dummy from Roman Shishkin, who then finished to perfection from twelve metres. Anzhi offered little to suggest a draw was forthcoming and after four minutes of uneventful added-time the match concluded 1-0 in favour of Lokomotiv Moscow.

Prepared by John Davies
©Europa League News, 2012
All rights reserved

Courtesy of Felipe Caicedo’s early strike, Lokomotiv Moscow defeated Anzhi Makhachkala 1-0 in the final contest of match day twenty-six of the Sogaz Championship of Russia.

The young striker, clearly one of the most promising to sign in Russia in many a season has quickly shown his vast potential since joining the Railwayman after the Copa América. Showing a level of professionalism and cagy predatory skills that defy his youthful age of twenty-three, the Ecuadorian international timed his run perfectly to ghost behind the Anzhi defenders and powerful head Vladislav Ignatyev’s cross from near the right by-line at the fifth minute. Though Anzhi had ample opportunity to level including Makhach Gadzhiyev’s goal bound effort blocked at the line by Denis Glushakov, they could not break through and with the final whistle Lokomotiv extended its unbeaten run to ten with a 1-0 victory and pulled level with Spartak at fourth in the table.

Prepared by John Davies
©Europa League News, 2011
All rights reserved

In the final contest of match-day twenty-four of the Sogaz Championship of Russia Dan Petrescu’s Kuban Krasnodar edged Anzhi Makhachkala 1-0 courtesy of a stunning strike from Gigi Bucur.

The free-standing Anzhi side met their match as the Kuban faithful were out in full supporter for their side. Dan Petrescu’s side started quickly with Romanian international Gigi Bucur the centre of the storm. Following a missed opportunity when he sent his effort from the edge of the area over the bar the former Poli Timişoara made up for it with a goal that will surely be remembered as one of the highlight strikes of the year. After latching onto the ball on the left near mid-field he pushed forward to an open spot before firing a booming drive from thirty-five meters to the back of the net. For the balance of time, Anzhi was unable to breakthrough the well disciplined play of Kuban Krasnodar and with the final whistle Dan Petrescu’s side claimed the full three points with a 1-0 victory.

Prepared by John Davies
©Europa League News, 2011
All rights reserved

In the final contest of Sunday in match-day twenty-three of the Sogaz Championship of Russia, Anzhi Makhachkala squeezed past Volga Nizhny Novgorod 2-1.

Volga leapt in front 1-0 barely three minutes after the opening whistle as following a blocked attempt the ball was played to Mihăiţă Pleşan well outside area with his follow-up effort taking a fortuitous deflection into the net. Anzhi was having problems driving forward but at the seventeenth minute levelled as Samuel Eto’o was played through a congested box, barely on-side but quickly deposited the ball past the Volga ‘keeper Vitali Astakhov.

With chances at a premium, Roberto Carlos lodged his fifth goal of the campaign as he sent a low free-kick from the left into the box that via a fortuitous deflection off Aleksandr Shulenin rattled to the near corner. For the balance of time Vola searched in vain for the equalizer as Anzhi Makhachkala claimed the 2-1 victory.

Prepared by John Davies
©Europa League News, 2011
All rights reserved

Free-spending Anzhi Makhachkala needed a late goal from new signing Samuel Eto’o to rescue a 1-1 draw, honours even, with host Rostov in the final contest on Saturday of match-day twenty-one of the Sogaz Championship of Russia.

Anzhi, boasting a starting line-up that included the international pedigree of Roberto Carlos, Yuriy Zhirkov, Mbark Boussoufa and Balázs Dzsudzsák made little in-roads against their determined hosts. Chances were sparse until eighteen minutes remaining when Timofei Kalachev sent a well placed free-kick into the net to give Rostov the one-goal advantage. However eight minutes Yuriy Zhirkov crafted a brilliant equalizer as he navigated past three defenders on the right side of the area before delivering a cross for Samuel Eto’o that the new man turned into the net. Neither side was able to muster a serious change for the balance of the time as the match concluded as a 1-1 draw, honours even.

Prepared by John Davies
©Europa League News, 2011
All rights reserved

Alexander Prudnikov continued to shine as the promising young striker’s second half goal sent host Anzhi Makhachkala past Dynamo Moscow 2-1 in match day twenty-one of the Sogaz Championship of Russia.

Anzhi took the lead mid-way of the half as Alexander Prudnikov pried the ball away from Dynamo defenders on the left before sliding to Yuri Zhirkov on his right with the former Chelsea man trying to send Mbark Boussoufa through. However, fortune played its role as a defending blunder allowed the ball to slip haphazardly through two defenders before Mbark Boussoufa turned to score from sixteen metres. A minute shy of the break, Ukraine international Andriy Voronin levelled for Dynamo as from close-range he sent in Aleksandr Kokorin’s fine provision from the right, his seventh goal of the campaign. However victory was in store for Anzhi as with eighteen minutes remaining in regulation time Alexander Prudnikov as he got enough of Aleksei Ivanov’s right wing cross to send it across the line to seal the 2-1 result.

Prepared by John Davies
©Europa League News, 2011
All rights reserved

In a flourishing display, Spartak Moscow dealt free spending Anzhi Makhachkala a stern lesson with a 3-0 demolition in front of the faithful at Luzhniki Stadion in match day twenty of the Sogaz Championship of Russia.

Anzhi, riding high at fourth in the table as they entered, have seen this fortunes turned literally for the club with high acquisitions this year starting with Roberto Carlos, Mbark Boussoufa and Diego Tardelli, of recent Russian international Yuriy Zhirkov and news that Samuel Eto’o is readying to join the club. Training in Moscow, Anzhi has set their sights on a high finish and amassing the arsenal to make a run for the top spot but that did little to deter the determined Red-Whites who once again proved the makings of the sport reside with an investment in the youth.

From the opening whistle, Spartak responded to their voracious supporter’s song, putting forth a dominating performance that was marked by efficient two way play and more than a share of attacking brilliance. Red-Whites manager Valeriy Karpin, with a keen eye towards a tricky schedule that sees his side face Legia Warsaw next Thursday on the European stage, made one change to his starting eleven that devoured Terek Grozny last week with Rodri entering for Marcos Rojo.

Barely two minutes into the affair, Spartak pounded at the Anzhi doorstep as Artem Dzyuba headed a corner from the right off the back post. Maintaining disciplined shape, the Red-Whites provided little opportunity and at the tenth minute Ari took advantage of a miscue deep in the opponent’s final third before firing wide from the right side of the area. The hunt was continuous with Dmitri Kombarov sending a drive from twelve metres over the bar at the nineteenth minute with Artem Dzyuba shortly thereafter testing the Anzhi ‘keeper from distance. Five minutes shy of the hour, Andriy Dykan answered when called upon with the Spartak goalkeeper making a point-blank stop in one of Anzhi’s rare forward ventures. Still the faithful maintained their song and on cue Spartak took the lead they would not relinquish at the thirty-fifth minute as Krill Kombarov’s long cross from the left was flicked on Artem Dzyuba to Ari at the back post. Taking a step inside, he shifted to his left foot and scorched his sixth goal of the campaign to the roof of the net. The match was quickly a one-way street with Anzhi firmly on their heels and unable to manage the continuous onslaught. Teasing the goal with a few close calls, Spartak doubled the margin at the forty-second minute as Welliton shuttled the ball to Ari on the right who then surged to the by-line before lofting it to the back post where Dmitri Kombarov volleyed to perfection.

Anzhi, coming out of change-rooms for the second half may have wanted to stay there as Spartak showed no let up. A quick advance saw Artem Dzyuba’s effort denied from close range before Alexandr Kozlov entered for Dmitri Kombarov five minutes shy of the hour. After a modest series of efforts by Anzhi, Alexandr Kozlov notched a landmark goal for the intensely promising eighteen year-old to put the Red-Whites in front 3-0. Coming at the seventy-second minute he received the ball on the right, moved deftly in to the area and from the tightest of margin fired his first goal at the top flight to the near post. The perfect goal and a perfunctory point in Spartak’s commitment to youth and in so doing any thought of a comeback was put to rest as the match was fait accompli. Mr. Karpin then gave Emmanuel Emenike his debut, coming in for Ari with Alexsandr Zotov entering late for Rafael Carioca as Spartak Moscow closed out the evening with a 3-0 victory.

Prepared by John Davies
©Europa League News, 2011
All rights reserved

In the opening contest of week nineteen of the Sogaz Championship of Russia, host Anzhi Makhachkala defeated Tom Tomsk 2-0 to maintain pace with the top of the table.

Anzhi, billowing in celebration with the appearance of Yuriy Zhirkov prior to the match, went in front 1-0 at the seventeenth minute as Alexander Prudnikov notched his second goal in as many weeks. Coming off the long ball, the twenty-two year old striker navigated to the left past the on-rushing ‘keeper and sent his effort into the far corner of the net.

With seven minutes remaining in regulation time Makhach Gadzhiev gave the hosts breathing space as Alexey Ivanov’s cross from the right by-line bounded loose before being driven into the net from eleven metres. With poise and disciplined defending Gadzhi Gadzhiev’s closed out the contest to perfection and claimed the full three points with a 2-0 victory.

Prepared by John Davies
©Europa League News, 2011
All rights reserved

Spartak Moscow was disappointed as they were held to a 1-1 draw, honours even, with Kuban Krasnodar at Luzhniki Stadion in the final contest of Saturday in match day eighteen of the Sogaz Championship of Russia. The result was particularly disheartening for the Krasno-belye given the dominated the run of the play for long stretches but were victimized with off finishing and a highly dubious penalty call.

Coming off their re-affirming win over Volga Nizhny Novgorod, Spartak manager Valeriy Karpin made no changes to his line-up and was pleasantly surprised with Welliton being available, though they were still without the services of Aiden McGeady, Sergei Parshivlyuk, Marcos Rojo, Nicolás Pareja and new signing Demy de Zeeuw.

From the opening whistle, Spartak exhibited confidence and attacking venom, immediately pushing the ball forward with Kuban pressed to their heels. Opportunities were coming at a breakneck pace though the final turn of the screw, the finish, was off. Just past the quarter-hour Artem Dzyuba was in prime position on the right side of the area but the quickly emerging striker was unable to finish as Kuban breathed a sigh of relief. Chances were sparse on the opposite end of the pitch until the thirty-second minute as Lacina Traoré created space on the right, moving away from Rodri before flashing a drive over the bar. While the Krasno-belye looked to be cueing up for the goal, disaster struck at the thirty-seventh minute when match-day referee Vitaliy Meshkov adjudged a dubious penalty on Marek Suchý for contact with Igor Armaş. With the Spartak faithful cascading their disappointment at the call Lacina Traoré sent the ball to the left side of the net to give Kuban the one-goal advantage.

Returning to the pitch after the break, Spartak was greeted with strong support and quickly mounted a charge for the leveller. Four minutes after the re-start Jano Ananidze sent the ball to Kirill Kombarov but the ensuing effort was just a shade wide, an unfortunate sub-text to the day. Pressing incessantly the Krasno-belye deservedly levelled at the fifty-second minute as Welliton latched onto an errant ball on the before moving into the area and slamming his fourth goal in as many matches to the opposite corner of the net. Now level, Mr. Karpin ushered in eighteen year-old Aleksandr Kozlov for Jano Ananidze as Spartak continued to push the pedal down, petrol on flames and attack. At this stage, assaults came from every angle as Kuban was clearly on their heels in survival model. With seventeen minutes remaining in regulation time Artem Dzyuba, who shone through the day, raised high at the back post to meet a left wing cross but his header went agonizingly wide. The Krasno-belye showed no let-up and at the eightieth minute Dmitri Kombarov lined up a free kick before dipping his effort off the underside of the bar with Artem Dzyuba unable to make contact with the rebound. Looking for the needed touch, the Spartak tactician added Ari for Emin Makhmudov in an all out assault but despite their efforts and clear superiority in the day the final whistle sounded with the match concluding as a 1-1 draw, honours even.

Prepared by John Davies
©Europa League News, 2011
All rights reserved