Spartak Nalchik @ FC Moscow

By: j | September 20th, 2008

With both clubs having very slim hopes for earning a European bid next year, this match becomes an absolute must-win for each. After losing this week to FC København in a remarkably tough fashion, Aleksandr Samedov will need to rally the squad and focus on the task at hand if they are to defeat the cagey Spartak Nalchik.

Recent Form
FC Moscow – combined (3 W, 1 D,1 L)(6 GS, 4 GA)
Aug 9 FC Moscow 2 – 1 Tom’ Tomsk
Aug 17 FC Khimki 0 – 2 FC Moscow
Aug 24 FC Moscow 0 – 1 Amkar Perm’
Aug 31 Dynamo Moscow 1 – 1 FC Moscow
Sep 13 FC Moscow 2 – 1 Spartak Moscow

FC Moscow – home (2 W, 1 D, 2 L)(4 GS, 6 GA)
Jul 13 FC Moscow 0 – 0 Terek Grozny
Jul 27 FC Moscow 0 – 3 Lokomotiv Moscow
Aug 9 FC Moscow 2 – 1 Tom’ Tomsk
Aug 24 FC Moscow 0 – 1 Amkar Perm’
Sep 13 FC Moscow 2 – 1 Spartak Moscow

Spartak Nalchik – combined (1 W, 1 D, 3 L)(3 GS, 4 GA)
Aug 10 Spartak Nalchik 2 – 0 Terek Grozny
Aug 16 Dynamo Moscow 1 – 0 Spartak Nalchik
Aug 24 Spartak Nalchik 0 – 0 CSKA Moscow
Aug 31 Spartak Moscow 2 – 1 Spartak Nalchik
Sep 14 Spartak Nalchik 0 – 1 Lokomotiv Moscow

Spartak Nalchik – away (W, 1 D, 4 L)(1 GS, 6 GA)
Jul 13 Tom’ Tomsk 1 – 0 Spartak Nalchik
Jul 25 Khimki 2 – 0 Spartak Nalchik
Aug 3 Amkar Perm’ 0 – 0 Spartak Nalchik
Aug 16 Dynamo Moscow 1 – 0 Spartak Nalchik
Aug 31 Spartak Moscow 2 – 1 Spartak Nalchik

Both clubs have consistently played very conservative Football in the past with Spartak Nalchik having a anemic attack particularly on the road. What of course makes this match interesting is that a victory is necessary if they are to have a chance, albeit a small one, in winning a European spot. Therefore a more aggressive approach to these typically low scoring, defensive minded clubs is an absolute must.

I will report on it with my weekend round-up of the Russian Premier League.