The confrontation between Schurrle and Vlašić, the absence of Chalov and the VAR factor: what is curious about the Spartak derby - CSKA in the 6th RPL round

Expectation of Spartak’s fourth victory in a row and CSKA’s ambition

The confrontation between Moscow CSKA and Spartak is always of considerable interest, but this time it is especially intriguing. Firstly, teams meet at the very start of the season, which often allows players to move away from pragmatic football. And secondly, both metropolitan teams are in the process of restructuring.

This is especially true of the red and white, who got rid of almost all the leaders in the summer, acquired five football players and returned Zelimkhan Bakayev from lease to Arsenal. It seemed that Spartak was waiting for a difficult period of adaptation and grinding, but in fact, the game with the updated team went right away. In the last three matches, the Moscow team scored three victories and scored eight goals.

However, fans of the team still should not be deceived, since Oleg Kononov’s wards are unstable and even had problems in the games with the clearly inferior Tun class in the third qualifying round of the Europa League.

At the same time, one can’t help but be happy for the newcomers to the team, who immediately began to bring results.

Andre Schürrle only in the debut match against Dynamo left the field without scoring points for performance and has already managed to become a favorite of red and white fans. Guus Til in Grozny gave three assists and on the move found mutual understanding with partners. Bakayev, on the other hand, scored two doubles in a row and claims to be the main player on the right edge.

As for the army, they went through their grinding period last season, and at the start of this, after an unexpected defeat from Wings of the Soviets, they won three victories in a row. Now the wards of Viktor Goncharenko are waiting for the second strength test after the July match with Lokomotiv (1: 0), because the significance of winning the derby can hardly be overestimated.

It is worth noting that if Spartak succeeds, the credit of trust in Oleg Kononov will increase even more. Just a few weeks ago, fans encouraged the coach to leave, but a fourth consecutive victory in all tournaments can convince both the fans and the club management of the correct path. In addition, a win will help you get closer to the leading Zenith. CSKA has similar messages. After an unexpected home draw with Sochi red-blue, you just need to score three points.

Derby without hitters

At the same time, the army team due to a broken nose at Fedor Chalov can remain in the derby without attackers. Ahead of the match, the footballer trained in the general group, but the big question is whether Goncharenko decides to risk the health of the scorer. However, there are simply no other forwards at his disposal, if you do not take into account the 18-year-old Lassan N'Diaye, who is still a mystery to fans. There is no need to talk about other young strikers of the team.

Thus, in the absence of Chalov, Goncharenko will have to tip Takum Nishimur. It is also possible that he will be paired with Yaka Bill, who repeatedly went on the attack in CSKA and clings to the balls. Easy and fast Japanese can take his own position as a drawn forward.

But in the match against Sochi, not only Chalov was injured, but also Arnor Sigurdsson, and he will also have to look for a replacement. However, in the case of the Icelander everything is much simpler, because Konstantin Kuchaev is able to close his position painlessly.

The losses of Spartak are far less critical, because the disqualified Esekiel Ponce can be replaced by newcomer Jordan Larsson or Andre Schurrle. However, most likely, as in the game with Akhmat, the Swede will be on the edge, and the German with Bakaev at the edges. At the position of "ten" should again appear Til.

Vlašić vs Schurrle

It will be especially interesting during a derby to watch the confrontation between two team leaders - Schurrle and Nikola Vlasic. Horvath with a German, without a doubt, are one of the strongest RPL players and lead teammates.

It's amazing that Andre managed to become the real leader of Spartak in just four matches. As soon as he made his debut, the world champion began to actively prompt his partners and encourage them. But the matter was not limited to just talks - the German scored “Tuna” and “Akhmatu” and organized a winning goal in Switzerland. It is curious that the stands accepted the newcomer almost instantly - on Thursday he was escorted from the field with a standing ovation and even threw a Spartak scarf on the field.

In a derby, Schurrle can do everything in order to finally become the idol of fans. Although CSKA does not miss three matches in a row in the championship, the defenders of the army, to put it mildly, are not sinful and sometimes can’t cope with quick attacks. Therefore, Goncharenko will have to puzzle over how to neutralize the leaders of the opponent and not give them free space, which Til uses especially well.

But CSKA, as already mentioned, has Vlašić, able to create an assist from nothing. His clever non-standard moves brought the army team a lot of points, and the Spartak’s defenders will need to act very carefully with the Croat. And Ayaz Guliyev will also have to keep emotions under control.

An additional advantage in a derby for a Croat can be a game against Ayrton on the right flank. The Brazilian not only regularly goes on the attack, but also makes mistakes in defense, which will only be in the hands of Vlašić. In addition, Reziuan Mirzov does not always work out carefully in defense, which makes the left edge of Spartak’s defense even more vulnerable.

Therefore, it cannot be ruled out that on Monday Mirzov will not enter the field at all, and his working place will be taken by the efficient Lorenzo Melgarejo. Most recently, the Paraguayan was close to leaving the team, but, apparently, Kononov reasoned that such a universal and experienced football player would be useful to him. In recent matches, Melgarejo regularly replaced.

VAR debut

The absence of Sigurdsson, for sure, will especially upset fans of CSKA, because in the last derby in April 2019, it was the Icelander who scored twice and brought the army victory. In the match, which also took place at the Otkrytie Arena, the red and white ones in the first half missed a ton of points, and immediately after the break they conceded two optional goals. Now, Kononov’s wards will probably want to get even with their opponent for that defeat.

It is also necessary to say a few words about refereeing, because this derby will be the first in history with the use of the VAR system. The innovation has recently appeared in the RPL, but has already caused a lot of talk, and CSKA has managed to take advantage of it - in the match with Lokomotiv, Vladislav Bezborodov appointed a penalty at the gates of the railwaymen only after watching the replay. In derby there can be even more such disputes.

It is interesting that initially the game was supposed to be served by Alexey Yeskov, but due to muscle injury, the referee was replaced.

“At an international match, Yeskov was injured - an Achilles tendon tear. Recovery from such an injury is about a month. In this regard, they replaced Sergey Karasev, ”the“ Championship ”quotes the words of the head of the refereeing and inspection department of the RFU, Alexander Egorov.