Maxi López departs FC Moskva

FC Moskva has announced the sale of Maxi López to Catania of Serie A.

The twenty-five year-old striker, a product of the River Plate system, arrived from Barcelona in August 2007 for a transfer fee of €2 million. Arriving in the capital city, the young striker made an immediate impact with the Citizen's, netting six goals in nine appearances, including a memorable three-goal performance against Amkar Perm. However, the following year saw productivity for the Buenos Aires native fall off before he missed much of the second half of the campaign due to injury. In February of the past year, he was sent on-loan to Brasileirão side Grêmio, where he saw his scoring touch. Rumoured high on the list of numerous clubs, including Liverpool and Lazio, he joins Siniša Mihajlović's Sicilian side in their fight to avoid relegation.

Prepared by J. Davies
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Lokomotiv Moskva hold FC Moskva to draw

FC Moskva's four match winning streak came to an end as they were held to a scoreless draw by Lokomotiv Moskva.

Miodrag Božović's Citizen's took control of the match early with solid scoring chances although they were unable to close the offerings out. Solid chances fell to Zvonimir Vukić and Aleksandr Sheshukov before the break but each was lacking the needed finishing touch. While the Citizens were clearly in superiour in the opening forty-five gradually Lokomotiv began to probe forward with Dmitri Sychev starting to dice the Citizens midfield. After the break Lokomotiv had a perfect chance to break the deadlock as Denis Glushakov, who had just entered for Dmitri Torbinski, played in Răzvan Cociş but the Romanian international was denied by Citizen 'keeper Yuri Zhevnov. Slowly physical play emerged and after Lokomotiv's Marko Baša was shown a straight red, Vladimir Maminov adjusted his tactics to keep the Citizens under wraps. Following a late chance by Miodrag Božović's side the match ended as a scoreless draw.

FC Moskva defeats Aliens 1-0

FC Moskva continued their impressive start to the campaign with a 1-0 defeat of Saturn Moskovskaya Oblast. Despite the scoreline the match featured exciting action from start to finish with both 'keepers having a brilliant day. From the snow filled start of the day the Citizens were having trouble with Jürgen Röber's attacking pulse, particularly the inspired play of a youthful playing Vadim Evseev and the quality work of Benoît Angbwa. After the break the action continued and after a series of advances fell for naught for both sides Miodrag Božović's grabbed the needed goal at the seventy-sixth minute when Aleksei Rebko's cross from the right-side was bashed in from close range by Boca Juniors-product Héctor Bracamonte for the 1-0 victory.

Spartak continues to fall

Spartak Moskva continued to falter in the early season, losing 3-1 to FC Moskva at Eduard Streltsov Stadium on Saturday afternoon. With the loss, Spartak finds itself near the bottom of the table and whilst the Citizens enjoy their first victory of the year.

Michael Laudrup's day turned for worse quickly as two minutes in ball played into Héctor Bracamonte near the six yard box was left uncleared before Edgaras Česnauskis slotted the ball to the roof of the net. Young Moldovan international Alexandru Epureanu doubled the margin fourteen minutes later in what quickly became a long day for Spartak as he headed-in Aleksandr Samedov's free-kick at the post. With twenty minutes remaining Aleksandr Samedov's free-kick from outside the area was headed in by Spartak Moskva product Dmitri Tarasov to make it it 3-0. With three minutes remaining Alex (Meschini), formerly of Internacional, connected from the spot for Spartak as the match concluded with FC Moskva winning 3-1.