Before the 21st round of the Russian Championship, Spartak could hardly be satisfied with its position in the table. Having lost to Orenburg without a chance, Guillermo Abascal’s team missed Rostov to second place. It was necessary to rehabilitate in front of their stands.
However, the rivals of the “red-whites” had a strong “Akhmat”, which does not give anything to anyone just like that. So this time the team from Grozny rested its horn, although it could well have lost with a devastating score.
The goalkeeper of the guests worked wonders on the ribbon and eventually deprived Spartak of victory!
Gorgeous Shelia
The first half could not be called interesting from the point of view of the football canon. The opponents did not show an abundance of chances, but they gave out a tactical fight in the best traditions of Klopp and Guardiola. Pretty soon it became clear who claims what role in the game. “Spartak” had more possession of the ball, and “Akhmat” only occasionally got out on the counterattack. These sorties of guests often ended in nothing, and the only player who tried to aggravate at least a little was Bernard Berisha.
“Spartak” was more active, as befits the owner. However, the “red-white” lacked meaningfulness in the attack. What is worth only a two-in-one exit, which Shamar Nicholson stupidly screwed up. If the Jamaican had done everything right, Mikhail Ignatov could have scored into an empty net! Not enough, of course, and Quincy Promes, who started the match on the bench.
The most dangerous moment came in the 29th minute thanks to a set piece. First, Ruslan Litvinov, after a defender’s mistake, shot from the corner of the penalty area. Giorgi Shelia parried the blow with his chest. Immediately, Nikita Chernov arrived in time to finish off, but here the goalkeeper showed himself superbly. Chernov himself at the moment of impact was hit in the leg by Andrey Semenov, but the referee Alexei Sukhoi considered that the episode did not pull on a penalty.
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Miracles continue
After the break, Spartak continued to press. After a beautiful combination on the flank, Daniil Khlusevich hit with a twist in the far nine, but Shelia again proved to be on top. Stretching out to attention, the Georgian goalkeeper sent the ball to the corner.
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There is no doubt that Abascal counted on Promes, who released at half-time. Quincy could well become the joker who can decide at the most crucial moment. However, there was a serious nuisance: after only four minutes on the field, the Dutchman felt pain and asked for a replacement. I had to release Keith Balde. Promes left the field himself, but this is not always an indicator of the severity of the damage.
Nothing has changed for Spartak. It was necessary to score, and the team continued to put pressure. Balde entered the game well and had a 100% chance. After filing from the flank, the Senegalese jumped great and hit his head sharply into the bottom corner. However, Shelia this time was simply unstoppable. The goalkeeper reacted in time to a point-blank blow and pulled the heaviest ball out of the bottom corner.
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useless pressure
After the 70th minute, Spartak began to increase the pressure. In the end, the Abascal team often adds, and this match was no exception. Sobolev and Khlusevich dangerously hit on goal, but the first hit the defender, and after hitting the second, the ball went inches from the bar. “Akhmat” practically stopped leaving his half of the field.
However, the guests fought like lions. The game of “Akhmat” in defense caused the maximum respect. The ball even practically stopped reaching Shelia: it was blocked by the defenders. Spartak loaded into the penalty area, but could not do anything. The second consecutive loss of points for the Abascal team leads to negative thoughts. What went wrong?
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