Sportbox.ru expert explained why the Semak team lost points again.
100% moments
The Sochi players may not have been very motivated in this match, but after a major defeat, they clearly did not mind playing as best as possible. True, I can’t say that in this game the team somehow tried harder than in the confrontation with PARI NN. And there they acted to their strength, they were just unlucky at certain moments, and here they didn’t demonstrate anything outstanding in a dispute with the champion.
In addition to a curious goal in the first minute, the Sochi team had almost no chances. Unless you can remember the blow of Christian Noboa after the error of the anti-aircraft defense. But the team of Sergei Semak could theoretically have enough moments even to win with a big score, but the implementation prevented. How Gustavo Mantuan hit the post is hard to say. Such chances need to be converted – in this situation it was easier to score than to miss.
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The Brazilian had another opportunity to excel, but from an advantageous position, he shot above the gate. Daler Kuzyaev did not take advantage of his chance, however, Nikolai Zabolotny saved his team there. Ivan Sergeev famously beat in the second half with his head. All these are 100% moments – score and win with a big advantage.
Champion Factor
The problem with the implementation for the umpteenth time prevents Zenit from winning. Are there mood problems? You can’t completely write off everything on the mood. Andrey Mostovoy was worried when he was substituted, most of the other players who started at the start had something to prove on the field.
But still, the factor of the available championship affects. Usually, Semak’s team puts more pressure on the opponent’s half of the field, but this time they calmly allowed the Sochi team to control the ball. There was no particular rigidity, joints in which one could get injured – in a game that really matters, the “blue-white-blue” act differently. And here it was noticeable that Zenit was already a champion, and Sochi didn’t need anything.
You should not discount the absence of the Brazilians, who determined the game all season. The game model remains, the structure is the same, but the shots are different. On the field, for the most part, Zenit had reserve players whose level of individual skill is lower. Of course, four good moments would have made it possible to achieve a major victory, but at its best, the Semak team can create much more scoring episodes.
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