On Tuesday, CSKA Moscow scored a decisive victory over 10-men Sparta in a tense matchup in Prague.
CSKA Moscow appeared to be doomed after Sparta secured a two goal lead in the first 16 minutes but managed to come back with two goals by Musa.
Alan Dzagoev sent a spectacular ball into the net right to make sure CSKA moves on to the next rounds of the Champions League.
Today, FC Krasnodar is taking on Slovan Bratislava in the away match while FC Rubin Kazan is facing FC Sturm Graz on home soil in the third qualifying round of the Europa League.
Last week the Moscow side put on a disappointing performance in a key qualifier against Sparta Prague as the Russian pundits expected nothing but success from a coach tipped to become Fabio Capello’s successor.
Sparta came back twice under a hard rain, both times within minutes of the goals scored by Alan Dzagoyev and Zoran Tosic.
CSKA Moscow were considered to be favorites in the first leg of the Champions League qualifiers while Leonid Slutsky is widely touted as the new head coach for the national team.
Slutsky has stayed with CSKA since October 2009 and won the Premier League five times.
David Bicik, goalkeeper of Sparta Prague, said he studied the habits of CSKA Moscow’s preferred penalty taker which helped him deny the shot by Bibras Natkho.
According to Sovetsky Sport, Bicik got a video clip from the goalkeeper coach featuring Natkho’s latest penalty shots.
Bicik said he watched it carefully and was able to outsmart his opponent to give his team a perfect chance to progress to the next stage of the Champions League.
Thanks to his efforts and two goals, Sparta Prague held CSKA Moscow 2-2.
Defender Alexey Berezutsky marked his 50th appearance in the Champions League matches.
Alexey Berezutsky has been playing for CSKA since 2003.
The game was also a test for Leonid Slutsky who is widely tipped as the next coach for the national football team, succeeding Fabio Capello.
David Bicik, goalkeeper of Sparta Prague, said he studied the habits of CSKA Moscow’s preferred penalty taker which helped him deny the shot by Bibras Natkho.
According to Sovetsky Sport, Bicik got a video clip from the goalkeeper coach featuring Natkho’s latest penalty shots.
Bicik said he watched it carefully and was able to outsmart his opponent to give his team a perfect chance to progress to the next stage of the Champions League.
Thanks to his efforts and two goals, Sparta Prague held CSKA Moscow 2-2.
Sparta came back twice, both times within minutes of the goals scored by Alan Dzagoyev and Zoran Tosic.
The away leg for CSKA Moscow is scheduled for August 5.
Defender Alexey Berezutsky has marked his 50th appearance in the Champions League matches.
Alexey Berezutsky has been playing for CSKA since 2003.
The game was also a test for Leonid Slutsky who is widely tipped as the next coach for the national football team, succeeding Fabio Capello.
Author: Mikhail Vesely