The superior match for the “blue and white,” the “red and white” didn’t have a good ending.
Returning to optimal combinations
The “red and white” had already walked along the edge of the abyss when, after a enchanting victory over Zenit, they were unable to score against “akhmat” (0:0). Participation in the championship race was in question – and in the next round, the Muscovites would have had to play Rostov away. Stankovich went for dangerous experiments. Hesus Medina and Alexis Duarte didn’t make the most important start, and Babich missed the match due to a yellow card – this meant that a few central shots would have to be sculpted compared to what was there. Abena came out with Litvinov in combination, who looked weak with Loko and Krasnodar in the first round. Also on the front foot in the opening minutes, instead of Manfred Ugalde, newcomer Livay Garcia came out. At that moment, he carried the day – but it was clear they wouldn’t want to repeat the adventure at Spartak. Makhachkala is a troublesome opponent for the Red and Whites, so they decided on the lineup they were playing. The Paraguayan striker returned to the start, while Babich and Litvinov came out in the center of defense. Of course, Duarte Stankovich has recently been more trusted – but Ruslan also managed to play with Sdjan. At least in the lineup selection, there were minimal issues for Spartak (which cannot be said about the result).
The defense collapsed
Muscovites heavily defended Denisov’s own goal. In the 10th minute, Daniel made a completely incomprehensible decision to chip the ball into his own goal. An unsuccessful attempt to score in the corner led to an opponent, unsuitable for Spartak, gaining an advantage right from the start. The mistake set the pace for the entire first half, and this segment was a nightmare for the “white-and-red.”
The hosts’ defensive line was completely out of sync, and Maksimenko strained several times. In the 16th minute, the second goal was scored. This time, the same Denisov left his position and went to cover the goalkeeper. He was already guarded by Litvinov and Martins, and Babich played through Agalarov. But Sundukov didn’t have a guardian on the flank—Denisov moved into the center of defense, giving Temirkan enough time to prepare for the presentation. Such confusion led to the entire line approaching Sundukov’s flank and freeing up space to run to Mrezegue. There was no one to cover him.
In the 26th minute, Agalarov broke through Denisov’s flank (the defenders were already cut off) and struck from a long range. In fact, Makhachkala could already lead 3-0; meanwhile, Spartak could barely break through the guests with their saturated defense. And there were at least some moments—only after long-range shots.
Covered the attack in the second half
Stankovich was again substituted before the break. Ugalde had to be taken off due to injury; Garcia came on instead. Moreover, the Serbian manager gambled on the attack, releasing another winger—Pablo Solari—in place of the right-back Ryabchuk. And if Livay was not so noticeable in the final third, then with the exit of Solari, the attack began to play with new colors.
Of course, it is also important that the second half came out with a completely different mood. With Pablo on the left flank, there are more individually strong players who like to get into a move. The Argentine steamed with Markinos charging for the penalty – Barko and Bongonda opened up for it. At first, there wasn’t enough emphasis. But as soon as it appeared, Spartak played a ball – penetrating from Markinos, fire from Solari and closing from Theo.
This happened in the 68th minute and after the goal Muscovites made an active offensive. Solari was already making a move there, and Martins could again become a hero for the team (in a compensated period he responded to the casting of Medina), and Zobnin could finish in the same episode. Even in the last compensated minute, the ball swept past the goalkeeper.
There is no one to blame the Muscovites
But this only shows that Spartak is early to think about the title. The team always falls into a stupor, meeting an uncomfortable opponent – especially if the game begins to take shape not according to the script of Muscovites. Moreover, there is no stability, the failure can be traced. Football, which was really expected from “red-white”, they began to show only after the 60th minute. And is it worth saying that the team was unlucky, there was not enough implementation, there was not enough time? All these are weak arguments. Even with such a game, the hosts could pull out at least a draw – at the end of Dynamo, a penalty was appointed. Medina hit the crossbar, although he should not have made an 11-yarder.
Spartak is now somewhere on the same level as Zenit. Some have too unstable and alternate victories with failed plays, the latter stagnating and unable to press where they should. And this level is not a champion’s. Especially against the backdrop of Krasnodar, which after a draw with Wings immediately after the restart is not giving anyone points. The unstable Rostov fell on – lackluster (1:0). The game with the Torch remained without the main player of the attack – tight (5:0). The game did not go with Acropolis – they were daring (1:0). Now, there is a decisive duel with Zenit. Victory will remove questions about the champion, and defeat will not change the leader.
Russian Premier League . Makhachkala in the fireThe “blue-blue” is fighting well for survival – the team is not in danger of a direct exit and even with difficulty, it is struggling to believe in its joints. There are more “worthy” contenders – Paris NN or “Torch”, “Khimki”, “Wings”. These teams lack stability. Meanwhile, Makhachkala residents lost only to Dynamo and
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