Bad week continues for CSKA Moskva losing 1-0 to Tom’ Tomsk

After being cast out of the UEFA Cup from Ukraine rivals Shakhtar Donetsk, it was expected that CSKA Moskva would unleash a torrent of aggression against Tom’ Tomsk on Monday. However to the shock of all the Army-Men, who most consider as the favourite to win the Russian crown this year, fell 1-0 to Tomsk.

For the match Zico placed seventeen year-old Georgi Shchennikov in his starting eleven and the youngster fit in well with the back-line trio of Russian capped defenders Sergei Ignashevich, Aleksei Berezutskiy and Vasili Berezutskiy. However it was the Siberian side that pulled off the shocker and Macedonian international Goran Maznov scored in the first minute of the match.

The Army Men can storming back with Yuri Zhirkov the creator of a number of chances but in a rare off-day, he couldn't beat the keeper eight minutes into the new half with Vágner Love completely off target with a glorious chance twenty minutes later. Zico called upon Miloš Krasić and Tomáš Necid later but neither could make the mark and in a shocking conclusion Tom Tomsk returned to Siberia from the capital with three points.

Photo Source:PFC CSKA Moskva

Army Men ousted in UEFA Cup by Shakhtar Donetsk

After winning the opening leg against Shakhtar Donetsk 1-0 at Luzhniki Stadium, CSKA Moskva were defeated 2-0 by the legendary Ukraine side in Donetsk. The victory casts the Moskva side, who many cast as a late favourite to hoist the trophy, out of the tournament and will leave many wondering the tactical direction they choose.

For the match CSKA Moskva manager Zico was without Yury Zhirkov who was suspended for the match and without the great Russian international it was obvious that the Army-Men lacked any punch. Knowing that an "away" goal by the visitors would likely see them through, Mircea Lucescu's Shakhtar's side totally controlled CSKA and scoring threats by the visitors were few and far between. Playing quite cautiously CSKA held the home side off the mark before the break but eight minutes after a restart the match took a dramatic turn as they spot was pointed to when Pavel Mamaev fouled Fernandinho in the area. Grabbing the ball Fernandinho drove the ball into the lower left corner to give Shakhtar the one goal margin and total command of play. Five minutes past the hour Zico called upon Evgeni Aldonin and Daniel Carvalho but without an attacking threat by CSKA, Shakhtar doubled the margin with twenty minutes remaining as Luiz Adriano struck from twelve metres out. Knowing CSKA would advance with a goal, Shakhtar completely shut down the visitors and won 2-0 and now advance to the next round of the UEFA Cup.

Army-Men continue to add to the attack

The consensus favourite to win the domestic Russian crown, CSKA Moskva continues to bolster its attacking side as it has brought in Ouwo Moussa Maazou from Belgian side KSC Lokeren OV.

The talented twenty-year old joins Tomáš Necid formerly of SK Slavia Praha, a revitalized Daniel Carvalho, Yuri Zhirkov, Alan Dzagoev and Vágner Love in one of the most compelling attacking units in Russia. While the original agreement in January called for the Nigerian capped goal scorer to arrive after the Belgian season concluded, all parties reconfigured the deal to bring him in for the start of the season.

The Army-Men's domestic campaign commences Sunday afternoon against Saturn Moskovskaya Oblast.

Army-Men edge Shakhtar Donetsk 1-0 in UEFA Cup

Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow was the setting for the great battle between CSKA Moskva and Shakhtar Donetsk and without a doubt the match did not disappoint. Although a date to the UEFA Cup quarter-finals is due to the winner of the series, there is no need for introduction of supporters of Football in those respective regions and the match was heavily siding to issues of pride.

Mircea Lucescu's Shaktar side showed intense discipline from the get-go and through cagy midfield play ground the Army-Men attack of Yuri Zhirkov,Alan Dzagoev and Vágner Love. Clearly concerned with the visiting Ukrainian sides attacking vision, CSKA manager Zico deployed a more defensively minded midfield, led by veteran Elvir Rahimić. However those plans and actual action seemed to fall short as the visitors attacked lustily early and squandered a number of close calls including Romanian international Răzvan Raţ early attempt. With the match barely three minutes in, the former Rapid Bucureşti-man forced Igor Akinfeev into action but to the surprise of no-one the great Russian 'keeper did not disappoint. At the half Pavel Mamayev entered CSKA and while not completely to the youngsters doing, CSKA's tinkering at the break worked as they were a completely different eleven after the restart. Showing flourish from the midfield, the hosts went on the attack and four minutes in disaster struck for Shakhtar as the spot was pointed to after Răzvan Raţ brought down Serbian international Miloš Krasić in the area. Demonstrating calm leadership Vágner Love stepped-up and dispatched the ball into the area giving the Army Men the 1-0 lead. The visitors poured forward in attacking wave after wave and while they peppered Igor Akinfeev with high probability chances, he held the line and CSKA Moskva was victorious 1-0.

CSKA Moscow v Shakhtar Donetsk match preview

With the Zico-lead CSKA Moskva already in possession of one trophy, that being this past weekends Russian Super Cup victory over Rubin Kazan, the Army-Men push forward Thursday evening at Luzhniki Stadium against Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Cup.

The Army-Men are intensely motivated to maintain Russian control of the UEFA Cup, following Zenit Saint Petersburg's victory last year and have amassed a brilliant array of talent. With the Russian season ready to commence Sunday with the Army-Men as leading candidates to hoist the hardware at the end of the season, they have a keen eye on filling the trophy case this year. While Vágner Love, Yuri Zhirkov and Alan Dzagoev needed little assistance in the attack, CSKA's attack force is now bolstered with a rejuventated Daniel Carvalho and former Slavia Praha striker Tomáš Necid. As always defenders of Vasili and Aleksei Berezutski and 'keeper Igor Akinfeev are the foundation of one of the best defending walls in the sport.

Against Shakhtar Donetsk they go against a side well on form and looking quite capable of continuing the strong run of Ukraine clubs, Dynamo Kyiv and Metalist Kharkiv in the UEFA Cup. Shakhtar is coming off a tough as nails 1-0 defeat of Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk this week and Mircea Lucescu has his side primed for the match.

CSKA Moskva win Russian Super Cup

The Army-Men started the year off right with a 2-1 victory over Rubin Kazan to take the Russian Super Cup in a stunning match. Deividas Šemberas gave CSKA the lead three minutes before the break as he sent the ball in with a thundering drive from twenty-five metres. Roman Sharonov brought the match level two minutes past the hour and without further scoring in regulation the match headed to extra-time. After Rubin went down a man with Gökdeniz Karadeniz expulsion, Tomáš Necid formerly of Slavia Praha provided CSKA the winning strike with eight minutes left in extra-time.


Photo Source: PFC CSKA Moscow

CSKA Moskva advances to round of sixteen

The Zico era of CSKA Moskva continues to motor on as they defeated Aston Villa 2-0 at Luzhniki Stadium. With the victory the Army-Men advance to the round of sixteen against Shakhtar Donetsk on March 12.

While Martin O'Neill sat many of his regulars, Villa gave teens Nathan Delfouneso, Marc Albrighton and Barry Bannan an opportunity to shine and they did not disappoint with a hearty performance. After shutting down the Army-Men for the first hour Russian international Yuri Zhirkov scored via a clever play from a set-piece. With the one goal margin, Villa was exposed in the back and in the dying moments Vágner Love added the second goal from Miloš Krasić's provision.

CSKA Moskva v Aston Villa match preview

CSKA Moskva welcome Aston Villa to Luzhniki Stadium in the second leg of the UEFA Cup. Following the first match that ended in a 1-1 draw the Army-Men are in the drivers seat and are the "beneficiaries" of a questionable 'Villa lineup. Clearly Martin O'Neill has prioritized domestic play for his side as left Gabriel Agbonlahor, Gareth Barry, Carlos Cuellar, Brad Friedel, Emile Heskey, James Milner, Stiliyan Petrov and Ashley Young out of his squad list.

Of his lineup choices Martin O'Neill said:

"We are not giving up. People sound defeatist. We are going to go there and try to win the game.

"It will be difficult of course. It would have been even if we went with every single player in the squad. But we will go and try and win the game.

"It's now an opportunity for players to prove themselves. But it's not as if we are going in with untried and untested stars.

"We have some really capable players - as we showed in Prague. I'm sure they will step up to the mark again.

"We should look forward to the challenge. You hear talk and you'd think we are beaten already. That wouldn't be my view."

While I understand his decision, it is the fan that suffers because this will definitely not be 'Villa's best starting eleven and it cause a significant tactical adjustment. As the sport grapples with immense financial constraints it needs to consider matters such as these because scheduling needs to be adjusted such that reserve sides are not being fielded in this type of competition.

For the Army-Men Zico has a full lineup available and is very aware the Aston Villa is in need of an away goal. He has stated that he has no reason to rush towards the goal and will adjust his tactic's accordingly. His only decision is whether to go with Deividas Šemberas or young Russian starlet Pavel Mamayev. A victory will see them through to play Tottenham v Shakhtar Donetsk.

Zico led CSKA Moscow draw to Aston Villa

The Zico-led era of CSKA Moscow started with a 1-1 draw to Aston Villa in UEFA Cup action Wednesday evening. The important "away goal" at Villa Park is potentially a decider for the Army-Men with the second half of the tie at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow next Thursday.

For much of the match Zico's side was obviously rusty and Villa controlled much of the run of play with the trio of Russian internationals, Sergei Ignashevich, Alexei Berezutsky and Vasili Berezutsky holding a strong back-line along with surprise starter, seventeen year-old Georgi Shchennikov. However fifteen minutes in Vágner Love was the recipient of Yuri Zhirkov's provision, with the Brazilian finishing with a powerful drive into the net to take a 1-0 lead. However following the goal, Villa was clearly directing the match with Army-Men's inactivity along with questionable fitness levels showing. After Gabriel Agbonhalor missed a point blank effort on the half hour, scoring threats waned through to the break.

At the restart Villa continue to run the match and both Georgi Shchennikov and Sergei Ignashevich made some superb last ditch efforts to push the ball aside of Igor Akinfeev's goal. With twenty-three minutes remaining Alan Dzagoev sprung Alexei Berezutsky free with a well weighted through ball but the Russian internationals effort in on the Villa goal was askew. Only two minutes later Villa found the equalizer as John Carew closed out Craig Gardner's re-directioin of a Ashley Young and the match was level. Without a further score the match concluded with a 1-1 draw and returns to Moscow next week for the crucial decider.

CSKA Moscow v Aston Villa UEFA Cup match preview

CSKA Moscow travel to face Aston Villa Wednesday evening in a UEFA Cup match with the new Army-Men manager Zico anxious for his first victory under fire.

In the final stages of last years campaign the Army-Men were unquestionably the hottest team in the league. Following the retirement of Valery Gazzaev, the legendary Zico took the helm in what looks to be a powerhouse lineup. Along with Vágner Love and last years emerging Russian star Alan Dzagoev, the club has added Tomáš Necid from Slavia Praha and a reinvigorated Daniel Carvalho returns from Internacional.

For the match CSKA will be without the services of Cup-tied Tomáš Necid and both Anton Grigoriev and Deividas Šemberas are in the sin-bin. Villa's Martin O'Neill misses England international Emile Heskey to injury and Steve Sidwell is suspended.

The ultimate issue in this match is the preparedness of the Army-Men who last played a regulation match against Nancy in the first week of December. Whilst they have went through a full series of friendlies they are likely to have a solid build up of rust.

Magpies move to bring in Jô

With Joe Kinnear under strict guidelines of maintaining a positive transfer account, Newcastle’s chances of bringing anyone new are reliant upon either a sale of one of the clubs top talents or a successful loan bid. While the club is rumoured to be interested in a number of Rangers including Pedro Mendes, Barry Ferguson and Majdid Bougherra, the Glasgow based club isn’t receptive to cut-rate bargain shopping. However in a rumoured move, that I have substantiated through back-room sources, Newcastle is looking to bring in Brazilian striker Jô from Manchester City on a six month loan.

The former CSKA Moscow and Corinthians man came over to the Citizens in July of this past year but has fallen out of favour with manager Mark Hughes for his lack of production on the pitch as well as night-life exploits. While his future at City is a murky one, Newcastle is ready to welcome twenty-one year old striker.

Newcastle moves to bring in Jô

With Joe Kinnear under strict guidelines of maintaining a positive transfer account, Newcastle’s chances of bringing anyone new are reliant upon either a sale of one of the clubs top talents or a successful loan bid. While the club is rumoured to be interested in a number of Rangers including Pedro Mendes, Barry Ferguson and Majdid Bougherra, the Glasgow based club isn’t receptive to cut-rate bargain shopping. However in a rumoured move, that I have substantiated through back-room sources, Newcastle is looking to bring in Brazilian striker Jô from Manchester City on a six month loan.

The former CSKA Moscow and Corinthians man came over to the Citizens in July of this past year but has fallen out of favour with manager Mark Hughes for his lack of production on the pitch as well as night-life exploits. While his future at City is a murky one, Newcastle is ready to welcome twenty-one year old striker.

Zico move to CSKA Moscow coming soon

As reported ten days ago, the deal to have Zico take over the reigns of CSKA Moscow is expected to be announced shortly.

Speaking to Globoesporte.com confirmed he is in-route:

"I am travelling to sign the contract with CSKA. I expect to sign, but there are still some small details missing that will be resolved in Moscow."

Presently in-charge of Uzbekistan powerhouse FC Bunyodkor, he will be a perfect fit for the club as well as cement its already solid reputation amongst Brazilian players.

CSKA new logo

As part of CSKA Moscow's plans to increase its global brand recognition they have released a new logo that Moscow's preeminent design group, FIRMA studio have developed. Along with new design, the club has also announced a long-term deal with Reebok on kits and related products that will make the Moscow giant a feature in the American-based firm product line.

will Jô return to CSKA Moscow?

Various media outlets are reporting that disgruntled Manchester City striker Jô is possibly on his way back to CSKA Moscow. After joining Koni from Corinthians in January 2006, the Brazilian international produced at an electrifying pace and was touted to do the same when he arrived in Manchester this past July. However it is quite obvious that he no longer works into club manager Mark Hughes plans, assuming he ever did and equally it is accepted that the English side is said to be looking for another top-flight striker during the transfer window.

Their is still a great deal of work to be done on the deal and it will likely require a some negotiating as the original deal was highly suspect as it included performance based clauses, thus questioning why his playing time as been so low and longer payment options. Additionally his £4OK a-week salary will likely need to be adjusted into CSKA’s offer as they are not willing to accept this pay package.

Valeri Gazzaev departs CSKA Moscow

CSKA Moscow’s 4-3 victory over AS Nancy-Lorraine was a poetic ending to Valeri Gazzaev’s managerial career with the club as he confirmed that has promised in July, he is leaving the club.

In departing the illustrious leader stated:

“I am leaving a great group of people that really believe in themselves. I believe the new coach will get a team wrapped in gold.”

Mr. Gazzaev’s career has brought extraordinary success to his clubs in his near twenty years on the sidelines. While he will be sorely missed at CSKA he has left in perfect position to profit from his work and will surely be highly sought after within the sporting community.

There is no word on a possible replacement.

Vágner Love strikes for three as CSKA Moscow is perfect

CSKA Moscow completed its perfect run of four victories in the group stage of the UEFA Cup defeating Ligue 1 side AS Nancy-Lorraine 4-3 with Vágner Love accounting for three goals. While the match in northern France was plagued with torrential rain, both sides showed a resolve to attack. Veteran Monsef Zerka gave the home side an improbable lead only five minutes in beating Russian international 'keeper Igor Akinfeev to the inside post. After narrowly missing a header off Yuri Zhirkov's cross a few minutes later, Vágner Love's stunning three-goal effort started as he leveled the match at the twenty-third minute with a powerhouse drive from just over twenty meters. Three minutes past the half-hour mark Koni took the lead as Ramón received Yuri Zhirkov's perfect pass, to which the former Corinthians-man drove to the back of the net. The Vágner Love show continued just past the hour as he collected Turkish capped Caner Erkin's pass and made it 3-1. In a highly uncharacteristic display, CSKA started their holidays, stopped defending and gave up two late goals. Julien Féret brought Nancy within one with eighteen minutes remaining as he accepted a well weighted through ball from Monsef Zerka before tucking the ball in. Up and comer Basile Camerling threw the home fans into delirium as he equalized the match with eleven minutes but once again Vágner Love came to the rescue. With two minutes remaining he gave CSKA the remarkable victory with another blazing strike from twenty-two meters.

CSKA begins its holiday now with the domestic league complete. They will return in February in the next round with a number of possible lineup changes.

Love in Moscow

Vágner Love brought the holiday season a little closer for CSKA Moscow fans as revealed he intends on staying with the legendary club next season as when discussing his plans for next season he said:

“At the moment there are no offers, so I’m staying. My deal runs until summer 2010. I’m not thinking about an extension yet, but I’m 100 per cent happy at CSKA.”

In consideration of this past season, he is undoubtedly pleased but without question, thirsty for success:

“This was one of my most successful seasons for CSKA. Of course, if we count trophies there were much better periods in the club’s history, but this term I have had a lot of bright moments. I scored a hat-trick against our fierce rivals Spartak Moscow. There was also the penalties victory against Amkar Perm in the cup final. Besides that, I was the league’s top scorer.”

“I’m clearly disappointed by finishing second. If we had won the title, I would have been totally happy. I’ll try to achieve more next season in terms of both my personal performance and team results. I want more trophies.”

The Koni attack promises great flourish with Slavia Praha teen-phenom Tomáš Necid arriving next month along with Russian capped Alan Dzagoev. The club is said to be looking to add twenty-one year-old Brazilian Ramires who presently plays for Cruzeiro Esporte Clube.

CSKA Moscow to make it a perfect run

Valery Gazzaev’s CSKA Moscow face Nancy-Lorraine in the UEFA Cup later today with his forces already guaranteed a spot in the next round as they have been perfect in three matches. Koni is showing little signs of weakening and are possibly the most likely of present clubs who could lift the hardware in May. With the domestic season complete, this the clubs final match before holidays, the club is fully-fit although I expect Anton Grigoryev and Deividas Šemberas to sit-out as they are one card away from suspension. Whilst this match means “nothing” to CSKA, they will not be satisfied with a draw as they head to their holidays. Lead by a Yuri Zhirkov and fellow Russian internationals Alan Dzagoev, Vasili Berezutskiy, Sergei Ignashevich, Aleksei Berezutskiy as well as Brazilian goal scorer Vágner Love, who may be in his final match for the club, I expect them to make an emphatic statement and defeat Nancy.

I will report on the match as it concludes.

CSKA Moscow triumphs over hearty Lech Poznań

CSKA Moscow advances to the next round on the UEFA Cup with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over visiting Polish giant Lech Poznań. The Polish side showed tremendous resolve in fighting back after falling 2-0 but could not overcome Valery Gazzaev's CSKA, which is looking more and more like a team of destiny.

In their final match of the year in-front of their faithful supporters at Luzhniki, CSKA displayed a passion for the attack all-the-while holding strong to rock-solid defending. Just past the half-hour mark, teen sensation Alan Dzagoev opened the scoring off a perfect feed from Vágner Love. Russian international Yuri Zhirkov continued his stunning year as he volleyed in Anton Grigoryev's pass in added-time to double the margin. After the break Franciszek Smuda's side dug-in and fought back into the match with Bosnia and Herzegovina international Semir Štilić perfect free-kick past Igor Akinfeev six minutes past the hour mark to bring the match within one. The visitors continued to apply pressure but could not break through again and CSKA took the 2-1 victory.