UEFA Champions League Full Time Report: Spartak Moscow 3-0 MSK Zilina
Spartak Moscow were looking to take on MSK Zilina at home in the second week of matches, in the UEFA Champions League. Despite Moscow being the clear favourites and the stronger side going into the match, the team’s manager Valeri
Kerpin warned his players not to take their opponents lightly.
According to the manager, “There are no small matches in the Champions League. Although Zilina are less well known than Marseille, Slovakia were in the last World Cup, unlike Russia, and recently defeated our national team - so
there is another motivation for us.
"I have not noticed any complacency in the team but I'm trying to emphasise to the players that our opposition should not be underestimated.
"There are more than enough examples of a team stronger on paper or in the eyes of fans or journalists losing to a team much weaker on paper.''
Clearly the manager, was all set to give the fans a performance that they wouldn't forget anytime soon based on those comments.
Zilina on the other hand were looking to Welliton, the team’s star striker, who had scored sixteen goals in the seventeen league appearances that he had made for the club so far. Zilina last played against Chelsea; they didn't
perform poorly or even bad as a matter of fact, but were still ripped apart by the reigning English Champions. Going into tonight's game, the Zilina side were looking to be far more determined and focused to try and do better than what they did last time around.
The match kicked off with the home side, looking to go on the offensive from the very first minute of the game. The first to take a pop at goal was left back, Evgeniy Makeev, but the defender’s long range half volley just barely
bounced off target.
However the early attempt from the home side showed the visitors what their intent was early on. The next player to go close for the home side was Alex Meschini. The midfielder’s curling shot smacked against the top of the post
but had them beaten at all ends.
After a lot of attacking from the home side and defending from the visitors, the first goal on the night came in the thirty fourth minute. Alex curled in a corner and Ari leaped the highest to meet the ball and then went on to
loop the ball into the back of the goal, over the keeper who was caught off his line.
The first half ended, with the home side taking the one goal advantage with them to the tunnel.
The second half picked up from where the first left off. The home side were back to their feisty self, not giving Zilina a moment’s rest at the back. This pressure eventually led to Moscow scoring their second goal on the night
in the sixty first minute. It was the man of the hour Ari, who was there to score his and the team’s second goal on the night. After having a cross whipped into his feet, the midfielder had the simple task of tapping the ball into the back of the net.
Moscow then got their third in the dying minutes of the match. The second half substitute Ibson, received a beautifully timed cross from Cristián Maidana and then went on to flick the ball over the on rushing keeper with the outside
of his foot.
Moscow went on to win the game in emphatic fashion; Zilina on the other hand suffered their second loss in the tournament in two weeks. The team now has a lot of work on their hands, if they wish to try and make it to the next
round.
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