Unsuccessful experiments Tedesco, saves Pesyakova and double Zainutdinova: “Spartak” devastatingly lost to “Rostov”

Karpin’s mood and Tedesco’s personnel revolution

The first part of the RPL season ended with an extremely intriguing match between Spartak and Rostov at the Otkrytie Arena. Firstly, for both teams the victory in this meeting was incredibly important. Experiencing serious financial problems, the guests had an excellent opportunity to go on a break on a par with CSKA and Lokomotiv, and only one point from second place.

Red and white, if successful, could not only end the year on a major note, but also reduce the backlog from fifth place, which gives the right to participate in the Europa League, to six points. Yes, and the sixth line in certain situations can be a pass to European competition.

Finally, the Karpin factor played a huge role in this confrontation. The former coach of Spartak, who left the team not without scandal, of course, was eager to once again upset the red and white.

And the coach always conveyed this additional attitude to the wards. Under him, “Rostov” in four matches with “Spartak” in the championship won two victories with one draw and one defeat. True, the first duel with Domenico Tedesco for Karpin was unsuccessful. In the 1/8 finals of the Cup of Russia at the end of October, the Moscow team at home was stronger - 2: 1. However, the guests then played almost reserve staff.

This time, the owner of Spartak Leonid Fedun added fuel to the fire, who said that the red-and-white would try to “defeat Karpin”.

As for the starting lineups, Valery Georgievich managed without surprises and put on the field all the strongest with the exception of Roman Eremenko, who is still experiencing health problems. His place in the center of the field was taken by Baktiyor Zainutdinov. Also at the last frontier appeared not Yegor Baburin, but Sergey Pesyakov, which, apparently, was caused by the Spartak goalkeeper past.

But Tedesco was able to truly surprise the fans. First, instead of disqualified Samuel Zhigot and Ilya Kutepov, he sent Alex Kral, and not Ilya Gaponov, to the center of defense. Secondly, the place of the Czech in midfield was taken by Guus Til, who practically did not play in recent matches. Thirdly, not Ayrton, but Lorenzo Melgarejo went on the left in defense. Finally, Reziuan Mirzov was located on the left edge of the attack, and Zelimkhan Bakaev left the position of the “tens” on the right edge.

Goal of “Rostov” and an unrealized penalty of Popov

“Rostov” began the match much more actively and immediately organized a high pressure on the alien half of the field. And already in the fifth minute, the guests for the first time cut the experimental defense line of Spartak. Zainutdinov shot from the front to the absolutely free Eldor Shomurodov, but he managed to break higher from the slaughter position.

Red and white responded with their half-moment only in the 20th minute. Til from outside the penalty area struck directly into the hands of Pesyakov. It was a debut shot on target for the hosts and the only one in the first half.

And Karpin’s wards very soon scored an absolutely logical ball. Nail Umyarov lost a shell in his half of the field, and the guests organized another quick attack on the right flank of the attack. Submission to the penalty area ended with Shomurodov’s shot in the post, but Zaynutdinov was no longer prevented from kicking the ball into the goal.

Now “Spartak” needed to go ahead and recoup, but the Red-Whites did not succeed in absolutely nothing. In fact, the team relied only on the individual qualities of Bakaev and Mirzov. Actually, the latter missed the most dangerous moment for the hosts in the first half. After filing a corner Reziuan from the corner of the goalkeeper did not get into the near.

But the yellow and blue before the break could remove all questions about the winner of the match. And again, young Umyarov played extremely unsuccessfully. After a rebound from Shomurodov’s head, he handled the ball in his own penalty box, and referee Evgeni Turbin pointed to the “point” without hesitation.

But Ivelin Popov decided to leave hope to the former team. From the penalty spot, he struck the “panel” right in the center, but Alexander Maksimenko remained in place and tightly picked up the ball in his hands.

Lost opportunities of Spartak and smashing counterattacks of guests

The second half, the red and white began quite actively. No sooner had the team returned to the field, as Mirzov nearly equalized. Reziuan burst into the penalty area and very dangerous shot into the far corner, but an incredible save made Pesyakov.

“Rostov” answered with a goal. The hosts failed again on the defensive, and Shomurodov and Ionov calmly outplayed Jikia and Zobnin. Alex calmly closed the far post.

“Spartak” continued to create moments at the gates of others and in the future, however, Pesyakov acted above all praises, having caught courage. One of the salvations cost him damage. The goalkeeper miraculously dragged a shell from the corner after hitting his head with Ponce and was injured. The coaching staff had already sent Baburin to warm up, but Pesyakov still remained on the field. And not in vain, because a little later, Sergei did not allow Ponce to realize a one-on-one solution.

And ten minutes before the end, the guests still brought the score to a major one. After a corner kick, Dmitry Chistyakov tweaked the ball to the far corner.

Only at that moment Spartak woke up and scored a prestige goal. The Red and White had a good quick attack, and Ponce shot Pesyakova from a close distance after Larsson’s discount.

But the Tedesco wards did not succeed in developing success. Not only that, they quickly missed the fourth. Zainutdinov managed to take a double. Using the transfer of Bayramyan, the football player of the Kazakhstan national team just shot into the far corner from outside the penalty area.

The stadium met the final whistle with absolute silence, especially since all the fans left the stands at the end of the first half. Spartak seemed to have begun to recover under Tedesco’s leadership, but in the last three matches of the year, it scored only a point and remained in tenth place in the RPL standings.

“Rostov”, in contrast, managed to finish the year on a major note and equal the number of points scored with “Lokomotiv” and CSKA. Yellow and blue, despite financial problems, continue to fight for medals.