CSKA's 

failures 

in defense

The injuries of Igor Diveev, Bruno Fuchs and Kirill Nababkin actually deprived Viktor Goncharenko of flexibility in terms of choosing performers in the center of defense.

In fact, the Belarusian mentor could either release three players on the field at once, in the person of Magnusson, Karpov and Vasin, or reorganize into a scheme with two defenders.

Perhaps, mindful of Victor's recent failures, he decided to focus on the first two players, but this did not solve all the problems.

Domenico Tedesco understood that his colleague was limited in his choice and would definitely put on the field at least one of the Karpov-Vasin pair, so he made a bet on high-speed forwards.

One of the best Spartak players of the season, Alexander Sobolev, remained on the bench, while the more mobile Jordan Larsson and Ezequiel Ponce made up the duo of forwards.

This German decision paid off many times.

Only in the first half did Vadim receive a yellow card, repeatedly failed in defense and became one of the main culprits for a missed goal, and was also close to receiving a second yellow card.

However, Sergei Karasev considered that Ayrton had begun to “fall over” even before contact and showed him a warning.

Subsequently, Karpov continued to act in an unconvincing manner and even deserved to be dragged out by his captain.

After one of the episodes, Igor Akinfeev ran out of the gate and in an aggressive manner expressed his claims to the defender.

The situation changed a little only at the moment when CSKA took the lead, and Goncharenko urged his players to act with more focus on defense.

🔥🔥🔥 The roster of red and blue in the derby!

# CSKAspartakpic.twitter.com / GZyU0lUaKh

- PFC CSKA Moscow (@pfc_cska) September 13, 2020

Unsuccessful Tedesco replacements

In general, the duo Larsson - Ponce had a shock in the first half of the meeting and took advantage of Karpov's slowness.

The red and white deliberately hit the weak point of the army defense and could well increase the difference in the score.

Ezequiel had a great opening in the center and repeatedly left out the defenders of the opponent, and Jordan burst into great depths.

In this he was helped by Ayrton and Roman Zobnin, who continues to progress in the role of the right lateral.

The Russian not only performed the usual huge amount of work, but also was great at joining the attacks.

Suffice it to recall his blow from the air and a magnificent throw into the penalty area.

But already at the beginning of the second half, the guests made changes in their front line, which initially raised enough questions.

If Zelimkhan Bakaev again played not the brightest match and was remembered only for a couple of sharpening passes, then Ponce certainly did not deserve a replacement.

Especially considering the fact that instead of a forward and a midfielder, two pronounced central strikers appeared - Alexander Sobolev and Alexander Kokorin.

The players spent about 40 minutes of playing time on the field, but they could not decide how they should be located on the field and what functions they should perform.

The partners often found themselves at the same point, which is why they only interfered with each other.

Chased by the defenders, they were deprived of free space and were forced to literally "gnaw" any ball.

Moreover, if Sobolev remained active until the very final whistle, then Kokorin at one point went into the shadows.

Losing the score, Spartak switched to long throws into the penalty area, which practically neutralized all of Alexander's positive qualities.

The red-and-white debutant could not compete on equal terms with the defenders on the second floor, but at the same time he almost did not look for happiness outside the penalty area.

📋 Our squad on the # CSKASspartak derby!

Alexander Kokorin - in stock 🔜 pic.twitter.com/NUQXNu6nyg

- FC Spartak-Moscow (@fcsm_official) September 13, 2020

Team problems in the pivot zone

Over the past one and a half seasons, rumors have been actively circulating that both CSKA and Spartak are looking for performers in the support zone.

Jaka Biyol and Kristiyan Bistrovic were never able to become a worthy replacement for Pontus Wernbloom, and Alex Kral and Nail Umyarov are too young and not focused on the selection of the ball.

Both teams would definitely benefit from their own Vilmar Barrios, which was once again confirmed during the derby.

Looking a little deeper, Ponce's goal was the result not only of a failed defenders game, but also a lack of a quality defender.

In the presence of a more tenacious midfielder, Bakaev probably wouldn't have got enough freedom to calmly turn around and execute an elegant cast on Ponce.

Undoubtedly, the guilt of the belated Karpov and Mario Fernandez, who was turned off from the episode, should not be removed.

The guests, first for the sixth time this season, conceded after the standard draw, and then demonstrated that they also needed a better performer in the support zone.

First, Umyarov allowed Vlašić to throw the ball between his legs, and then threw the most dangerous player in the opponent's squad and allowed him to proceed to the penalty area all alone.

For some time he was personally responsible for the Croat and did it very successfully, but he was not enough for all 90 minutes.

Vlasic and Akinfeev class

As in the end of June, the outcome of the Moscow derby was again decided by the level of individual performers.

Akinfeev won the goalkeeper's duel against Alexander Maksimenko and was deservedly recognized as the main character of the meeting.

Even in the first half, he did not allow Larsson to distinguish himself, and in the second he parried Ponce's strike from a lethal position and a long-range shot by Georgiy Djikia.

Igor again demonstrated that he is the strongest Russian goalkeeper and was rightfully named the main hero of the derby, which his young counterpart cannot boast of.

Maksimenko lacked composure in one of the most status matches of the championship.

At first, he could not cope with the not most difficult blow with the head of Magnusson, and then did not save in the moment with Vlašić.

And this despite the fact that the ball went almost in the center.

At the same time, it is hardly worth blaming him for Chidera Ejuke's goal, because the Nigerian beat from a slaughter position, and even without resistance.

Nevertheless, this is not the first time this has happened to Maksimenko.

In June, it was he who became the culprit of the first goal, having failed to cope with not the most dangerous blow from Vlašić from afar.

As a result, the red-and-white found themselves in the role of catch-ups and were unable to break into the massive defense of the enemy, and in the end they even conceded a second time.

As for the best field player, Vlašić is rightfully named.

Once again, he performed at the highest level and proved that he is one of the brightest players in the RPL.

Horvath led CSKA offensively and was very helpful both in building and in defense.

He has three successful dribbles, four tackles and 34 accurate passes.

As a result, the highest rating among all participants of the meeting according to WhoScored.