Russia’s UEFA champs struggling in mid-table

31 July, 2008, 09:05

Reigning champions Zenit Saint Petersburg missed the chance to close the gap on the leaders, after they were held to a goalless draw at CSKA Moscow. The draw for Dick Advocatt’s side, means they're without a win in their last three games.

Zenit came back to Moscow after a narrow loss to the city's Dynamo last weekend. CSKA on the other hand were looking to break a three game winless streak.

Muscovites were looking better in the first half but Zenit did manage a couple of shots. The Army men could have gone ahead in injury time but Alan Dzagoev couldn’t make a pass to Wagner Love, who would have fallen one on one with the keeper.

In the second half Zenit’s Ivica Kryzanac was shown a second yellow. But surprisingly the game, which until this point belonged to the hosts, suddenly evened out.

With ten men Zenit managed to keep it tight at the back but made plenty of mistakes up front.

Andrei Arshavin's efforts were practically neutralised by the CSKA defence, making his presence on the pitch virtually unnoticed.

However, the referee did his best to add some drama, controversially sending off CSKA's Alan Dzagoev for simulation with 10 minutes to play.

But the game ended 0-0.

“We dominated in the first half, and I really liked how we played. We started the second also very actively. When Zenit’s player was sent off though, the game suddenly leveled. So I’m disappointed with the score but the referee managed to at least lock in the score,” Vakery Gazzaev, CSKA Coach, said.

“You lose points. You can’t win every game. The Russian Premier League is a strong competition against tough opponents. It is difficult to win even if we are fit and playing eleven against eleven. We have very many games and the same players are on the pitch every time. So it’s difficult for us,” Dick Advocatt, Zenit Coach, said.

Krylia Sovetov Samara 4 Saturn Moscow region 0

In contrast, Krylia sovetov thumped Saturn, who were eliminated by German Stuttgart in Intertoto Cup on the Weekend, 4-0.

Help from Czech gifant Jan Koller let Anton Bober score the first goal just ten minutes into this match.

Then just before the break Savin got his first goal and added the second after the break. And keepers blunder led to goal number four by Belarusian Andery Kovba. .

Krylia are now sixth in the table while Saturn stay 12th.