Spartak Moscow continued their impressive start to 2011 with a 2-0 victory over host Sibir Novosibirsk in Russian Cup to advance to the round of sixteen.

Krasno-belye manager Valeriy Karpin, with a keen eye towards the opening leg of the Europa League tie against Eredivisie powerhouse Ajax next week made a number of adjustments to his most recent line-up. Without the services of Nicolás Pareja, expected to miss upwards of a month due to injured and goal scoring virtuoso Welliton, the Spartak tactician welcomed back Ari and rewarded Pavel Yakovlev and Emin Makhmudov with spots in the starting grid. This was the first situation to see Ari paired with Artyom Dzyuba in the attack and the two wasted little time in pressing forward.

It took Spartak little to become accustomed to the frigid conditions as coming off a short corner of the left played between Dmitri Kombarov and Emin Makhmudov, Artyom Dzyuba continued his resurgent play since returning from loan assignment with Tom Tomsk as from four metres he rose high to deftly head a cross into the net. After the go-ahead goal, the hosts pressed for the equalizer but quickly found Spartak’s midfield play impossible to breah, excluding a late chance and the contest went the break without further incident.

At the re-start, Mr. Karpin ushered in Ibson in for Emin Makhmudov and barely four minutes into the new half his side doubled its advantage. Coming via a long ball from Andriy Dikan, Ari played the ball to Pavel Yakovlev on the right channel who showed his vast promise as he outraced a defender before scoring from what looked to be an impossible angle, via the opposite post. For the balance of the affair, Spartak bolted down the affair with the hosts suggesting little ability to threaten. Despite losing Dmitri Kombarov with a red-card, Spartak eased to a comfortable 2-0 victory and will meet either of Amkar Perm or FC Krasnodar, who play on 6 March, in the next stage of the Russian Cup.

The Author: John Davies is available on his personal page on Facebook, Twitter with his business leadership and motivational video logs on his YouTube channel. In addition to writing for Europa League News, his Football reports appear for pre-eminent Russian media outlet Sports-Express (Спорт-Экспресс), the legendary Spartak Moscow.

Within the sporting world, his work is widely regarded as some of the most influential in the sport. Whether it you refer to it as Football, Fútbol, Fußball, Футбол, Calcio or Soccer, his protocols are a cornerstone in training circles across the world. For more information on his sports training practice please visit Renegade Training™ and join their group on Facebook.

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In the final weekend of the Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia 2010 campaign, relegation condemned Sibir Novosibirsk’s visit of Chechnya ended with a 1-1 draw, honours even.

For Igor Kriushenko’s Sibir, their fate had long since been sealed but to their credit they have continued the fight the good fight each week. Grozny, who has seen their once flirtation with Europe dwindle to a free fall collapse towards the relegation zone with a scant win since the start of September entered the contest without the services of Maurício and Zaur Sadayev.

Anatoly Baidachny’s host side took the lead at the seventh minute coming from a quick assault on the left led by Andrei Kobenko. The twenty-eight year-old veteran fed the ball to Héctor Bracamonte on the left channel, whose acute angle effort was saved by Sibir ‘keeper Alexei Solosin, only to see Shamil Asildarov drive the rebound into the right bottom corner of the net from eleven metres.

In the search for the leveller, Mr. Kriushenko summoned Tomáš Čížek and Yevgeni Zinovyev for Maxim Astafiev and Igor Shevchenko at the break, with his counterpart adding Antonio Ferreira for Sergei Omelyanchuk. The move paid off for the Siberians as with nineteen minutes left in the proceedings, Tomáš Čížek, from ten metres, headed Vagiz Galiulin cross from the left flank into the net. Both sides had ample opportunity to break the deadlock but the contest ended without further incident as a 1-1 draw, honours even.

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In a contest with pure pride, Tom Tomsk defeated relegation condemned Sibir Novosibirsk 1-0 in match-day twenty-nine of the Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia.

With Sibir doomed relegation to the first division the Siberian derby was a matter of pride alone and true to form, it proved to be a spirited affair. Chances proved sparse as neither side would give any ground and it was not until the fifty-second minute that the deadlock was broken. After match day referee Vitaliy Meshkov awarded Tom Tomsk a penalty Steve Joseph-Reinette pulled down Artyom Dzyuba in the area, the young striker hammered the ball into the back of the net to give Valeri Nepomniachi’s side the lead they would not relinquish. Sibir had a gifted chance to level as at the eighty-third minute Đorđe Jokić was sent off with a straight red-card for pulling the man down in clear on goalkeeper Aleksei Poliakov. In the resulting effort, the keeper dove to his left to deny Bartlomiej Grzelak’s effort and give Tom Tomsk the 1-0 victory.

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On Sunday in match day twenty-eight of the Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia Lokomotiv Moscow was held to a 1-1 draw by relegation condemned Sibir Novosibirsk.

With the Cherkizovo faithful in full song, the Railwayman attacked with intent but found each advance stopped by Sibir ‘keeper Alexei Solosin.
Igor Kriushenko’s Siberian side continuously repelled Lokomotiv’s efforts as the match went to the break scoreless.

After the break, Lokomotiv continued to probe for the go-ahead goal and finally broke through three minutes past the hour when Dmitri Sychev powerfully fought his way through three defenders on the left side of the box before burying the ball into the net. The Railwaymen continued to dictate play and should have doubled the lead but Alan Gatagov sent a close range rebound far off course and Rodolfo later sending an effort off the woodwork. Lokomotiv payed dearly for those squandered chances as at the eighty-sixth minute Dzmitry Molosh fired the ball from beyond the area to square the contest. Yuriy Semin’s side went immediately back on the hunt for the winner but it could not be found and the match concluded as a 1-1 draw.

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In the opening contest of Sunday in match day twenty-seven of the Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia, Zenit Saint Petersburg took at step closer to clinching the title as they defeated Sibir Novosibirsk 5-2.

Sibir manager Igor Kriushenko, whose side has only the faintest of chances to avoid relegation to the First Division, made four changes to his starting eleven that lost to Dynamo Moscow last week with Wojciech Kowalewski returning to goalkeeping duties for Petr Vašek, along with Dzmitry Molosh, Veliče Šumulikoski and Aleksandr Degtyarov coming in for Adessoye Oyewole, Tomáš Čížek and Roger Cañas.

Luciano Spalletti, whose Zenit Saint Petersburg side defeated Hajduk Split in the Europa League on Thursday, completely shifted his line-up with Aleksandr Aniukov and Igor Denisov repeating their starting roles.

In dire need of a victory Ivan Nagibin gave the hosts a shock 1-0 lead ninety seconds after the opening whistle as his speculative shot from outside the area bounded off the mitts of Zenit ‘keeper Yuriy Zhevnov and into the left corner of the net. The Siberian supporters were in disbelief four minutes later as their side went in front 2-0 as Bartłomiej Grzelak was played through by Veliče Šumulikoski after a uncharacteristic defending effort by Zenit before burying the ball into the net from ten metres. The fast break pace did not let up and at the thirteenth minute, Zenit halved the margin as Vladimir Bystrov was played through the channel by a sumptuous back heel by Danny before scoring his sixth goal of the campaign from twelve metres from the right. Just over a minute later, the match was squared up as Belgian international Nicolas Lombaerts showed his ability to score off set-pieces and he headed a free kick from the left to the back post.

At the break, the Mr. Kriushenko summoned Tomáš Čížek into his Siberian line-up for Aleksandr Degtyarov as they looked to restore their lead. Chances were modest and just shy of the hour, Zenit injected Sergei Semak into the fray for Vladimir Bystrov and within minutes the soon to be champions detonated the hosts in three rapid-fire goals. On the hour, Konstantin Zyryanov carved out an opening on the low edge of the box before sending a cross that Danny deftly re-directed into the Sibir net for the 3-2 advantage. The hosts clearly lost their composure as two minutes later the margin was doubled as Sergei Semak received Danko Lazović’s provision from the right by-line and drove his first goal of the year into the opposite, left corner of the net. At the sixty-sixth minute, the skipper Aleksandr Aniukov put his name on the scoresheet, with equally his first goal of the championship season from the edge of the area he sent in Aleksandr Kerzhakov’s pass off a free kick. With Zenit’s travelling supporters in full song the contest concluded without further incident as their side laid claim to the 5-2 victory.

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Saturday in match day twenty-six of the Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia features and abbreviated schedule of two contests as Dynamo Moscow welcomes Sibir Novosibirsk at Arena Khimki, whilst Rostov visits the capital to face Spartak.

In the opening match of the day, the White-Blues face a must-win against visit Sibir, who equally know their hopes of avoiding relegation is fading quickly. The White-Blues have managed to claw their way to seventh in the table but will need a late surge if they are to make up lost ground and earn a spot in the Europa League. Miodrag Božović’s side did well bolting down CSKA midweek in a scoreless draw, with much owing to goalkeeper Anton Shunin but are still in need of greater service to Kevin Kurányi and Ukrainian international Andriy Voronin. The Dynamo tactician is without the services of Alexandru Epureanu and Adrian Ropotan due to suspension. Sibir’s hopes of relegation are growing dimmer each week as they are now six points from safety and though they did well in a draw against Spartak last week, a victory is in order if they wish to avoid the drop. Sibir manager Igor Kriushenko, is without the services of Veliče Šumulikoski and will once again look towards the inspired play of veteran goalkeeper Petr Vašek.

In the only other match on Saturday, Spartak Mocow welcomes Rostov Luzhniki Stadion following their remarkable victory over Zenit Saint Petersburg. The Krasno-belye are now four points above Nalchik in the fourth spot but manager Valeriy Karpin will be challenged against Rostov with personnel decisions given the extremely short rest period, continuing injury problems and a crucial Champions League battle against Chelsea on Wednesday. Mr. Karpin is likely to juggle his starting eleven, as he did against Sibir last weekend but in need of greater production. The Spartak tactician plans are further complicated as he is without both Yevgeni Makeev and Marek Suchý are out due to suspension and there is question of whether Ari will be available due to injury. Rostov’s once European hopes have seemingly vanished as they are without a win in the most recent five contests and lacking in the attack.

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Match day twenty-five of the Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia campaign got underway as a determined Sibir Novosibirsk continued their fight to avoid relegation with a hard fought nil draw against visiting Spartak Moscow. For Valeriy Karpin’s Krasno-belye it will undoubtedly considered as a case of dropped points but such is case as the curtain falls in the campaign, with many clubs fighting for the “great escape”.

While weather conditions in Siberia posed no problem, Mr. Karpin’s side was certainly marked with fatigue and a series of injuries following Tuesday evenings Champions League clash against Chelsea. The Spartak tactician, who was still without playmaker Alex, made five adjustments to his starting eleven with Martin Stranzl, Andrei Ivanov, Cristian Maidana, Alexsandr Zotov and Jano Ananidze coming in for Nicolás Pareja, Yevgeni Makeev, Ibson, Dmitri Kombarov and Welliton.

Igor Kriushenko’s Sibir knew coming into the match that given they were six points adrift of safety they could not afford to come out of the encounter without points. Coming off their draw against Krylya Sovetov last week, Mr. Kriushenko made two adjustments to his line-up with Maxim Astafiev and Roger Cañas coming in for Tomáš Čížek and Igor Shevchenko.

From the opening whistle it was clear Spartak had a formidable foe as Sibir gave little ground and much of the play was limited to a box-to-box affair. The opening forty-five minutes are best described as scrappy as advances in the final third were closed down quickly with often borderline harsh defending. What chances did occur seem to fall Sibir’s way as Vagiz Galiullin had two high quality opportunities in close range but each was stopped by the reliable Spartak ‘keeper Andrei Dikan. Spartak’s best chance came late as Aiden McGeady got on the end of a loose ball on the left side of the area but his effort to the near post was stopped by Sibir goalkeeper Petr Vašek.

A few minutes after the re-start and following a moronic pitch invasion by a few attendees, Spartak came close to breaking the deadlock as Republic of Ireland international Aiden McGeady fought down the right side of the area before firing a blistering drive from ten metres off the woodwork. Mr. Karpin, seeing his side languishing going forward, summoned Welliton and Dmitri Kombarov, for Jano Ananidze and Cristian Maidana at the hour but Spartak quickly found Sibir’s veteran goalkeeper Petr Vašek up to the task. Spartak began to carve out openings but the thirty-one year-old ‘keeper, on-loan from Slovácko quickly smothered the advances. With sixteen minutes remaining, Spartak’s injury woes continued as Sergei Parshivlyuk was forced out, replaced by Yevgeni Makeev. With three minutes remaining in regulation time, Spartak surged forward in a counter attack only to see Petr Vašek add to his heroics as he stopped Ari from fifteen metres. Without further incident in four minutes of added-time, the match concluded as a nil draw.

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In a relegation battle of titanic importance in the Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia, ninety minutes could not settle the score as Krylya Sovetov played visiting Sibir Novosibirsk to a 1-1 draw, honours even in Samara.

Krylya Sovetov manager Alexandr Tarkhanov, whose Samaran side defeated Alaniya before the international break, made two changes to his starting eleven with the highly promising Pavel Yakovlev and Nenad Đorđević coming in for Denis Kovba and Anton Bober. Sibir manager Igor Kriushenko came into the contest knowing his side needed a win if they were to keep any reasonable hope of avoiding relegation alive. From his most recent line-up that fought Rubin Kazan to a draw, the Siberian manager made three changes with Vagiz Galiulin, Aleksei Aravin and Aleksandr Antipenko coming in for Dzmitry Molosh, Aleksandr Degtyarov and Bartlomiej Grzelak.

In a hard fought encounter, the Siberians took the 1-0 lead four minutes shy of the break as coming from Tomáš Čížek’s corner from the right Adessoye Oyewole surged forward to volley the ball into the net from close range.

Desperate for the needed leveller, Pavel Yakovlev took matters in his own hands and three minutes after the re-start, the highly promising nineteen year-old launched a stunning drive from well outside the area that did not stop until it nestled in the Sibir net and further underlined his vast potential. While both sides made considerable effort to settle the score, neither side could find the right touch in remaining time as the match concluded as a 1-1 draw, honours even.

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Sunday, in week twenty-four the Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia features a relegation battle that could decide the fate of each club as Krylya Sovetov welcomes Sibir Novosibirsk to Samara.

Alexandr Tarkhanov’s Samaran side is driving forward in the “great escape” with three wins in the last four contests and very much like a side destined for the top league. The veteran manager is pleased to welcomes Nenad Đorđević back from suspension and will once again look for the finishing power of young gun Pavel Yakovlev, on loan from Spartak Moscow to help push them to victory.

Sibir’s thin hopes of avoiding relegation require a win over Krylya Sovetov but remain optimistic given recent play. Sibir is not short on attacking inspiration and veteran ‘keeper Petr Vašek has tremendous addition. The Siberians welcome back Aleksei Aravin and Maksim Astafyev from suspension and will not hesitate going forward, in what will likely be an all-out attack laced match.

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Sunday in week twenty-three of the Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia got underway with host Sibir Novosibirsk, courtesy of Roman Belyaev’s late goal, playing defending champion Rubin Kazan to a 2-2 draw.

Staring relegation in the face, Sibir manager Igor Kriushenko who was without Aleksei Aravin and Maksim Astafyev due to suspension made three changes to his starting eleven that defeated Rostov last week with Adessoye Oyewole, Aleksandr Degtyarov and Igor Shevchenko for Vagiz Galiulin, Aleksei Aravin and Evgeny Zinoviev. Rubin Kazan manager Kurban Berdyev re-worked his line-up with six changes to his starting eleven that played Barcelona to a hard-fought draw in Champions League play on Wednesday with Oleg Kuzmin, Andrei Gorbanets, Alan Kasaev, Bebars Natcho, Carlos Eduardo and Aleksei Medvedev coming in for Lasha Salukvadze, Vitaliy Kaleshin, Rafal Murawski, Gökdeniz Karadeniz, Aleksandr Ryazantsev and Belarusian international Sergei Kornilenko.

To the delight of the home supporters, Sibir went in front 1-0 at the twenty-ninth minute when Steeve Joseph-Reinette notched his first goal in Russia as he broke away from his marker to head Tomáš Čížek’s corner from the left to the near post. With the balance of the half uneventful, the hosts went to the break holding a thin one-goal advantage.

At the restart the Rubin tactician summoned Vitali Kaleshin and Sergey Kornilenko for Cristian Ansaldi and Andrei Gorbanets as his side went in the hunt for the equalizer. Only five minute later, Rubin squared the contest after match day referee Nikolai Ivanov adjudged a penalty after Alan Kasaev was fouled in the area. In the ensuing effort Cristian Noboa stepped up and drove the ball past Sibir ‘keeper Petr Vašek to level the encounter. With sixteen minutes remaining in regulation time Mr. Kriushenko added Roman Belyaev for Igor Shevchenko with Igor Filipenko for Adessoye Oyewole three minutes later as the Siberian’s looked for the victory. However, with ten minutes remaining Salvatore Bocchetti put Rubin in front with his second goal since coming over from Serie A’s Genoa as he latched onto Alan Kasaev’s cross from the left, following a short corner and drove the ball into the net. Three minutes later, Roman Belyaev rescued the draw for Sibir as he latched onto a close range rebound of Dmitry Molosh’s free kick from the right. In added-time Rubin was forced to play a man down as Vitali Kaleshin was sent off with his second yellow-card but it was without consequence as the match concluded as a 2-2 draw, honours even.

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