“The People’s coach of Russia”
By: j |
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Barely two weeks into Yury Semin’s return to Lokomotiv Moskva, the excitement is virtually uncontainable. Whether it be the masters midas touch or not, following Lokomotiv’s 2-1 victory over Spartak this past weekend talk of top finish and the European stage is running rampant. With the short break for international competition, Lokomotiv presented Pavel Aleshin’s new book book on Yury Semin titled “The People’s coach of Russia” (available here).
After considerable thought this will serve as my final post. If you care to apply for this blog please contact Daryl with The Offside (click here) after reviewing the guidelines at www.theoffside.com/bloggers.
Category: Team News
Will Army-Men lose Yuri Zhirkov?
By: j | 2 Comments
With CSKA Moskva’s Yuri Zhirkov quickly emerging as one of Russia’s brightest young stars, the faithful around Luzhniki fret whether they’ll be chanting “Zhirkov” for much longer. The play-maker extraordinaire has been linked to Roman Abramovich’s Chelsea and most recently, Barcelona.
Hopeful that he’ll continue to grace CSKA’s lineup but the Russian international might not be so inclined to make the move unless he is confident of a spot in the starting eleven. Speaking to Russian media giant “Sports Express” he noted that with regards to a possible move to London, “I know no more about it that any other people.” Equally young Mr Zhirkov is very focused on CSKA’s Champions League efforts, noting that his side will be in the Champions League this year.
However at present his focus is squarely on Russia’s World Cup qualifying match against Finland next Wednesday stating, “now I am preparing for the coming match in Finland and try not filling my head with other things.”
Category: Team NewsDick Advocaat leaves Zenit
By: j | 3 Comments
In an absolutely stunning move, Dick Advocaat has resigned from Zenit Saint Petersburg and will now manage the Belgian national team. While the sixty-two year old leader had recently noted the in the media that, “Zenit will by my last club. I will be 62 by the end of the year, so it is time to change my life a little bit”, it is certainly a surprise for the clubs loyal supporters.
Mr. Advocaat leaves Saint Petersburg after three years of loyal service that includes the winning the Rosgosstrakh Russian Football Championship, the UEFA Cup and the UEFA Super Cup.
Category: Team NewsArmy-Men hoist Russian Cup!
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Despite playing much of the match a man-down, CSKA Moskva defeated Rubin Kazan to win their second consecutive Russian Cup.
The match was a cagey affair with the Army-Men painted into a tactical corner when Pavel Mamaev was sent off with a straight red-card at the thirteenth minute when he pulled down Alejandro Domínguez. Playing a man down, CSKA showed great patience, controlling the final third and rarely allowing Rubin a solid opportunity to strike at Igor Akinfeev. However in a shocking conclusion, with the match seemingly headed towards extra-time Evgeni Aldonin found the winning mark a minute into added-time. Accepting a simple pass by Daniel Carvalho, the Russian international took advantage of Rubin defenders asleep at the wheel, pushing the ball forward before lashing it to the bottom left corner of the net for the incredible victory.
Фото: ЦСКА Профессиональный футбольный клуб Photo: PFC CSKA Moskva
Category: Team NewsYuri Semin returns home to Lokomotiv Moskva
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For fans of Russian Football the old adage of the “more things change, the more they stay the same” is never more apropos as this weekend Oleg Romantsev and Yuri Semin will match wits as their sides, Lokomotiv Moskva and Spartak Moskva will battle. The meeting seemed near impossible to imagine a few months ago but through a remarkable turn of events these two grand masters have returned to the collective sides.
As Valery Karpin took control of Spartak Moskva their was one man he turned to and with Oleg Romantsev hand in directing the club мясо is playing brilliant attacking football, reminding fans of his genius he lead the club during the 1990’s.
In continuation of great leaders to the Russian game, as rumoured, Yuri Semin has agreed to join Lokomotiv Moskva after leading Dynamo Kyiv to the Ukrainian Premier League championship. Mr Semin signed a contract through 2011 and Lokomotiv fans can expect his tell-tale fluid attacking style and commitment to younger players development.
While there is much work to be done with both sides, the return of their great derby, with both at the heights of the sport is assured. In a remarkable turn of fate, this two great leaders go face to face this weekend as Spartak visits Lokomotiv.
Category: Team NewsCSKA and Zenit dominate Guss Hiddink’s selection
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Ahead of Russia’s World Cup qualifying match against Finland on 10 June Guus Hiddink has named his twenty man squad. Of his list, which is dominated by CSKA Moskva and Zenit Saint Petersburg entrants, only Andrei Arshavin (Arsenal) and Roman Pavlyuchenko (Tottenham) play their club ball outside of Russia. Pavel Mamayev of the Army-Men received his first cap with Evgeny Aldonin, Alexandr Kerzhakov and Vladimir Bystrov all returning to the squad.
Goalkeepers: Igor Akinfeev (CSKA Moskva), Vladimir Gabulov (Dinamo Moskva), Vyacheslav Malafeev (Zenit Saint Petersburg)
Defenders: Alexey Berezutsky (CSKA Moskva), Vasily Berezutsky (CSKA Moskva), Sergey Ignashevich (CSKA Moskva), Yuri Zhirkov (CSKA Moskva), Denis Kolodin (Dinamo Moskva), Renat Yanbaev (Lokomotiv Moskva);
Midfielders: Evgeny Aldonin (CSKA Moskva), Pavel Mamaev (CSKA Moskva), Vladimir Bystrov (Spartak Moskva), Igor Denisov (Zenit Saint Petersburg), Konstantin Zyryanov (Zenit Saint Petersburg), Igor Semshov (Zenit Saint Petersburg) Sergey Semak (Rubin Kazan);
Strikers: Andrei Arshavin (Arsenal), Alexandr Kerzhakov (Dinamo Moskva), Roman Pavlyuchenko (Tottenham), Pavel Pogrebnyak (Zenit Saint Petersburg)
Category: Team NewsValery Gazzayev heads to Dynamo Kyiv
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With rumours rampant that Yuri Semin is set to return to Russian football, Dynamo Kyiv announced that Valery Gazzayev will take the reigns as manager this 20 June. The former CSKA Moskva and Russian national manager resigned at the end of last season after leading his side to a brilliant finish. He will inherit a side guaranteed of winning the Ukrainian Premier League championship
This clears the way for Yuri Semin’s much rumoured return to Lokomotiv Moskva. It is equally becoming obvious that Oleg Romantsev’s consulting with Valery Karpin of Spartak, that is at the root of much of their stunning play, will be expanded to a full managerial position.
Category: Team NewsDmitri Khokhlov scores late as Dinamo defeats Zenit
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Zenit Saint Petersburg lost its second successive match, losing 1-0 to Dinamo Moskva with Dmitri Khokhlov scoring late. The victory sees Andrey Kobelev’s Dinamo side catapult above Zenit and are now in sixth position in the table.
Confident before the match, Andrey Kobelev’s tactical plan was letter perfect as the free-flowing Zenit attack slowed to a grind. With a tight, compact formation, Dinamo was able to dictate much of the run of play. Additionally, Viktor Svezhov, barely eighteen years of age, debuted for Dinamo and was near perfect in the midfield. Finally with six minutes remaining the match was decided as Kirill Kombarov cut down the right flank and turned back from the byline to fire a cross to the back post which Dmitri Khokhlov volleyed in for the winning strike.
Category: Team Newsno stopping Valery Karpin lead Spartak Moskva
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The extraordinary start to the Valery Karpin era for Spartak Moskva continued with a picturesque 5-1 victory over Amkar Perm at Luzhniki Stadium. With the victory Spartak is now fifth in the table on only four points behind league-leader Rubin Kazan.
Working like a fine twelve-cylinder engine, Spartak opened the scoring ten minutes in as Vladimir Bystrov drove down the right flank, turning at the byline before outmaneuvering the Amkar defender and softly chipped into the box for Wellington to head in. The margin was doubled eight minutes after the break via Vladimir Bystrov’s creativity once again as he work for the edge of box to the right, sending a cross near the spot that former Internacional-man Alex headed in with power. Nikita Bazhenov, who had just entered the match a few minutes earlier, made it 3-0 with twenty-one minutes left as he was played through on the right channel before driving the ball in from ten metres. Still on the hunt for goals, Alex added his second of the day with four minutes left as he sent a clever chip over the ‘keeper who had strayed to far off his line from the edge of the area. Wellington made it 5-0 a few minutes later as he circumvented Amkar ‘keeper Sergei Narubin after be played through and pounded the ball in. Ivan Starkov added a late consolation goal for Amkar to bring the match to a 5-1 conclusion but there is no disputing that under Mr. Karpin’s leadership, Spartak is a club to be reckoned with.
Category: Team NewsVladimir Maminov’s Lokomotiv continues unbeaten streak
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Lokomotiv Moskva resurgence under Vladimir Maminov continued as they defeated Terek Grozny 4-0 Saturday afternoon.
With Dmitri Sychev and Diniyar Bilyaletdinov out of the starting eleven, Lokomotiv’s attacking trident comprised the highly promising Aleksandr Minchenkov, Peter Odemwingie and Romanian international Răzvan Cociş. Lokomotiv took the lead thirteen minutes in as Peter Odemwingie outraced Grozny defender Sergei Bendz to a long ball to the right before slotting it to the near post past ‘keeper Rizavdi Edilov. The young Grozny goalkeepers day was made worse with a dreadful piece of defending as eight minutes prior to the hour a long free-kick from the right was headed on by Răzvan Cociş into the box and after both Radoslav Zabavník and Jean Bouli failed to clear, Peter Odemwingie drove the loose ball in to make it 2-0. Four minutes past the hour Grozny was forced to play a man down as former Rapid Bucureşti-man Daniel Pancu was shown his second yellow-card of the day. Lokomotiv took advantage of the situation only a minute later as Renat Yanbayev drew the ball back from the byline to Dennis Glushakov who closed out perfectly from close-range. As time ran down Grozny were victimized by a less than memorable goal as David Mujiri’s corner from the left skipped into the net and in without being touched to make it 4-0.
Category: Team News
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