The fixture list threw up an interesting game for Torpedo Moscow's first game back in the Russian Premier League for 8 years, away to probably their fiercest rivals CSKA Moscow.
The game took place at the Arena Khimki, used by CSKA Moscow until the CSKA Moscow is completed in 2015, in front of a full house almost. Torpedo came out the blocks incredibly quickly, deploying a long ball tactic to on loan forward Sergei Davydov, with reasonable success. In the 7th minute the long ball tactic paid off, Davydov narrowly beat the offside and took a shot which deflected off a CSKA defender in Semen Fomin's path around 15 yards out, Fomin took his chance incredibly well, crashing the ball high into the left hand corner of the net leaving Igor Akinfeev stranded. Dreamland for Torpedo.
As the game went on CSKA grew into the game a lot more, getting the ball down the wings and drilling low crosses into the Torpedo box with minimal success as the Torpedo back line cleared relatively easily. In the 30th minute however Fomin, already on a high from his goal took a speculative shot from 30 yards out that crashed against Akinfeev's post with the Russian national team goalkeeper nowhere near it. CSKA went straight up the other end and almost scored. An almighty scramble in the box ended up with Seydou Doumbia dallying on the ball and Ahmed Musa smashing over the bar with almost the whole goal to aim at.
CSKA were not to be denied though, a mere two minutes after the Musa let off the game was turned on it's head. Vladimir Rykov, making his debut for the Black Whites, sort of tumbled into Georgi Milanov about 6 yards out. Penalty and red card for Rykov. Awful decision by the referee, Milanov conned the ref with his theatrical dive and it was not a red card offence as Yuri Zhevnov was closing the angle down so it wasn't much of a goal scoring chance in my eyes. Doumbia did his best Andrea Pirlo impression as he dinked the ball into the back of the net with Zhevnov on his back side.
From that moment onward Torpedo were under the cosh, and almost 2-1 down straight away. Torpedo captain Dmitry Aidov tried chesting the ball back to Zhevnov but under hit it majorly allowing Doumbia to steal the ball but with only the goalkeeper to beat he choked and fired his shot wide. CSKA would go into the break 2-1 up however, pinball in the box lead to the ball falling to CSKA's new signing Kirill Panchenko a few yards out and he slotted past Zhevnov. Big appeals for a foul by Doumbia on the last Torpedo man not given. Another poor decision by the ref in my eyes.
After halt time Torpedo made a change, striker Igor Shevchenko subbed off for centre back Adam Kokoszka which did little to stop the rampant Army Men. 3 minutes into the second half Doumbia had a shot brilliantly saved by Zhevnov but the ball rebounded off the goalkeeper and hit his own player Aidov square in the face, rebounding into the now open goal. A few minutes later with Torpedo pushing forward to try and get back in the game CSKA broke away and ended up with a 5 on 2 situation in their favour but Milanov and ex Man United played Zoran Tosic got in each other's way leading to the ball being hoofed clear.
Just after Milanov and Tosic got in each other way Sergei Davydov had a chance to get Torpedo back into the game. Since Rykov's sending off Davydov was up front by himself; putting a heck of a shift in with little joy, on this occasion a long ball found its way to the big striker and with just the goalkeeper to beat he dinked the ball over Akinfeev, but the ball bounced agonisingly wide for the big man. If anyone deserved a goal it was Davydov for his admirable work rate.
Between the 3rd and 4th goal Zhevnov was in inspired form, saving Torpedo from going further down making no less than 4 good saves from Musa, Doumbia and Tosic but he could do nothing about CSKA's magnificent 4th goal. Forgotten man Vitinho, a laughing stock to CSKA fans and even some of his own players, smashed in a gorgeous 25 yard shot that Zhevnov could get nowhere near. CSKA manager Leonid Slutskiy has came out and said that Vitinho is starting to show the potential that persuaded CSKA to spend approximately £8.5m for the Brazilian. Very big season coming up for Vitinho.
The last talking point of the game involved Georgi Milanov and Vadim Steklov. Milanov, who went down theatrically to say the least for the penalty and Rykov's red card, challenged the Torpedo man for a high ball but blatantly elbowed Steklov in the side of the head at full pelt. Steklov went down out for the count and swallowed his tongue meanwhile Milanov shamefully rolled around the ground pretending it was a clash of heads when their heads were nowhere near each other. Steklov was stretched off the pitch, later to talk to paramedics and be pronounced okay whilst Milanov wasn't penalised at all, not a foul never mind a red card. Shocking from the referee, and disgraceful from Milanov. I personally hope he gets a long ban, no place for tackles like that in the modern game.
