Starting Line-up
Spartak Moscow: Pesyakov, Makeev, Suchy, D. Kombarov, Parshivlyuk, Glushakov, Carioca, Kallstrom, Jurado, McGeady (Yakovlev 56′), Movsisyan (Waris 73′ Insaurralde 90′).
FC Krasnodar: Filtsov, Granqvist, Jedrzejczyk, Martinovich, Gazinsky, Kaleshin, Mamaev, Marciu (Pizzelli 76′), Pereyra (Isael 64′), Joaozinho, Wanderson (Gohou 64′).
Goals: 1:0 Jurado 4′ 1:1 16′ Pereyra 2:1 Movsisyan 27′ 3:1 Jurado 30′ 3:2 Isael 69′
Spartak continued the rejuvenation with their fourth consecutive win against Krasnodar at home, 3-2. Juan Manuel Jurado scored a brace, and another goal from Yura Movsisyan ensured the victory for the Red-White.
Valery Karpin made three changes to the starting line up, with Marek Suchy replacing Joao Carlos to pair with Makeev at the back, while Källström and McGeady came on in places of Ozbiliz and Tino Costa. Movsisyan and Jurado stayed ahead to spear the attack for the capital club.
And the start could not be better for the home side, when Jurado popped an outstanding shot from outside the box after just four minutes. The goal set the game pace, with Spartak pushing for more goals and Krasnodar looked shell-shocked for the first fifteen minutes.
The away side, however, surprised the crowd later. On the 16th minute, Suchy failed to clear a long ball from Krasnodar’s half. His weak header failed to reach Makeev and was stolen away by Wanderson, leading to chaos inside the box. The spilled ball fell to Mauricio Pereyra who made no mistake and put away the equalizer.
The goal brought more attacking and open play to the game. Spartak tried to tidy up things in the middle, and with Källström in their line up the home side pushed high on the field. Krasnodar, too, was quick on the counter. On the 24th minute Jurado miskicked the cross by McGeady, after it was missed by Movsisyan initially. The counter attack by Krasnodar almost surprised Spartak, but Suchy’s excellent tackle brought a halt to Wanderson’s move. A minute later Parshivlyuk’s mistake almost cost Spartak, but Joaozinho missed the shot.
The scoreline did not last long, though.
A couple of minutes later, Kallstrom stole the ball from his Krasnodar defender and it was straight to McGeady’s feet. The Irishman strolled the ball through for Movsisyan, who coolly slot the ball underneath Filtsov’s body.
The goal fired up Spartak’s spirit, and three minutes later they scored again. McGeady’s cross was parried away by Filtsov, which fall straight to the path of Jurado. The Spaniard fired home his second of the night and the third for Spartak. The scoreline remained 3:1 at the break, even though Mamaev’s shot was barely pushed over the bar by Pesyakov and Pereyra’s curling effort went wide just before the halftime.
After the action resumed, Spartak continued to press the away side. McGeady, who was taken out at the 56th minute, almost tricked Filtsov with a cheeky lob, just for the latter to parry it away. Karpin’s opposition, Oleg Kononov, brought on Isael and Gohou in place of Pereyra and Wanderson in the 64th minute.
His gamble, in order to take over the possession in the middle, proved to be fruitful. Isael, getting the ball from Gazinsky, who robbed possession from Källström, sent a wonderful shot from outside of the box to the right top corner of Pesyakov. The goal set a nervy ending to the match, with Krasnodar pushing forward. Isael and Pizzelli, who came on later, looked threatening but Spartak survived to keep on pace with the leader.
Spartak Verdict:
The victory means Spartak now have four wins in a row with 23 points, tying with leader Zenit, who also won today. This result sets up a mouth-watering match up at Petrovsky next weekend, where both sides will lock horns in the heart of St. Petersburg. With both teams in great form, the meeting will definitely attract the attention of Russian football lovers all over the nation.
Krasnodar Verdict:
Another unfortunate result in Moscow, after playing so well, particularly in the second half. The team looked decent and matched up with Spartak’s ability as well. Kononov will need to repair what his team lacked today, especially for the first ten minutes. The next match against Rubin will not be easier. But with the players in his rank, Kononov’s team will bounce back and should finish comfortably in the upper half by the winter break.
Man of the Match:
Juan Manuel Jurado. His two goals were well deserved and he was active the whole game. His movement created chances, not only for himself, but also for Movsisyan up front. His first goal was the highlight, showing how brilliant he can be. Jurado has been vital so far, if he keeps his current form he could bring Spartak their long awaited silverware.
Quotes:
Valery Karpin: “We played well in the first half. In the second half, we lacked a bit motivation and physical, but well done my boys. Two games in this condition of field, like it or not, even feet became heavy. Moreover, Krasnodar - a very good team. In second half especially, they were light, mobile and aggresive.But the win needs us to work hard, to nosebleed.”
Oleg Kononov: “We tried to go off aggresively from begininng, but we encountered a same tactic from our opponent. We conceded early, could not get out from half, could not connect our play. Even after we equalized, our blunders led us conceding two more goals. We played better and dominate in second half, but we could not manage to score more.”
Pavel Mamaev, Krasnodar midfielder on loan from CSKA: “Personally, I am very sad to lose the match today. I wanted to win, not only Krasnodar, but also CSKA last Sunday. Beat Spartak and put them in their place. My feeling is like suffering two losses this week.”
Interesting Facts:
Spartak was on three consecutive wins since their losses against Amkar and St. Gallen. They sat in second place prior to this game, level on points with leader Zenit and third-placed CSKA, whom they beat last Sunday.
Krasnodar haven’t been beaten for five games prior to this match. The last loss was against Lokomotiv, which coincidentally was played at this very same Lokomotiv Stadium.
Movsisyan, who is currently leading Spartak’s scoring chart, played for Krasnodar before this. He was transferred to the capital club during winter 2012.
In the other way around, Ari, former Spartak striker, signed with the Krasnodar club during the last transfer window. It was well known by the public that his contract dispute with the club was the main factor of the move.
Pavel Mamaev, who is on loan for Krasnodar from Spartak’s eternal rival CSKA, got harsh treatment from the home fans.
Spartak launched a campaign for the match today ” Territory without swearing”. It did not really work out, though, with vulgar words towards CSKA sung again and again, while monkey chants were also heard towards Gohou, Wanderson, Joaozinho and Isael.
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