Guilherme appears back to full fitness for CSKA
The Russian transfer rumors have subsided a bit while the RPL squads sweat it out in their respective training camps. While we still have some spletnik on offer, we thought we’d also check in on some of the friendlies that have taken place on Tuesday.
–We’ll start with CSKA Moskva’s first match in the Copa del Sol tournament in Marbella, Spain, where the club defeated IF Elfsborg (Sweden) 3:2.
A more extensive report will hopefully follow. But, for now, the highlights: Keisuke Honda (19) and Guilherme (38) were on the receiving end of Milos Krasic assists that put the Army club up by two goals in the first half.
A poorly positioned Sergei Ignashevich allowed Elfsborg’s Fredrik Berglund to score for the Swedish team’s first of two goals in the second half. But a blunder from Elfsborg’s keeper Joakim Wulff would result in an own goal that allowed CSKA to escape with a victory. Nevertheless, the (broken record, I know) sluggishness of CSKA’s defense was disconcerting. In lieu of CSKA’s Champions League match against Sevilla on 24 February, CSKA fans will surely hope for some improvement while the Copa del Sol progresses.
CSKA will play Rosenborg BK (Norway) on Saturday.
–Rubin Kazan 4:0 Strømsgodset (Norway)
Goals: Bukharov (45), Orekhov (48), Portnyagin (72), Badyautdinov (87).
Rubin (first half): Ryzhikov, Kaleshin, Ansaldi, Salukvadze, Navas, Noboa, Semak, Murawski, Ryazantsev, Karadeniz, Bukharov.
Rubin (second half): Ryzhikov, Balyaikin, Orekhov, Popov, Kvirkvelia, Sibaya (Badyautdinov, 65), Kabze, Gorbanets (Galliulin, 74), Bystrov, Kasaev (Orazsakhedov, 74), Portnyagin.
Of note was the performance from 21-year-old Igor Portnyagin. Brought in to train with the main squad after his strong showing with the Rubin reserves during the CIS Cup, Portnyagin has now scored three goals in two friendly matches. On Monday versus Wohlen (Switzerland) the striker netted two.
–In other Rubin news, the club has placed a €8 million bid for AC Milan’s anxious defender Kakha Kaldze. The 31-year-old Georgian has been unhappy this season with the Rossoneri, and has expressed his interest in changing locations. This season Kaladze has only featured in six Serie A matches.
Rubin has also finalized a deal that sends Croatian defender Stjepan Tomas to Gaziantepspor (Turkey). Formerly of Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe, the 33-year-old has signed a deal through the end of the Turkish season with the Gaziantep club—who are currently in 11th place in the Süper Lig.
Tomas had been with Rubin since 2007. In those three years he accumulated 30 match appearances. Last year, however, he only appeared in one league match and one cup fixture.
A knock, but nothing serious, for Spartak's Welliton
–Spartak Moskva 4:2 Timisoara (Romania)
Goals: Dziuba (37), Ananidze (49), Ibson (80), Welliton (85).
Spartak’s starting squad: Pesyakov, Igor Kireev, Jiránek, Stranzl, Makeev, Yakovlev, Sabitov, Ananidze, Gorbatenko, Prudnikov, Dzyuba.
For highlights, follow the link.
In the process of scoring his goal, Welliton suffered an injury to his leg. Taken to a nearby hospital, it appears that the injury is not serious—with coach Valery Karpin claiming the Brazilian should return to training with the squad in several days.
–Lokomotiv Moskva 2:0 UD Marbella
Of note was Oleksandr Aliyev scoring his first goal for his new club–a lovely 30-yard free kick. The type of goal the club hopes to see recur once the season begins. Dmitri Poloz also found the net.
Here are the highlights.
Lokomotiv has been rumored in the last few days to be interested in stealing Liverpool midfielder Yossi Benayoun away from Dinamo Moskva—despite consistent resistance from the Reds management, who claim the player simply is not available.
Chempionat have gone so far as claiming that the Railroaders have reached an agreement with the footballer regarding a personal contract, and hope to soon begin negotiations with the Meyseyside club.
Dinamo have already offered £8 million for the Israeli national captain.
Loko midfielder Alan Gatagov broke his nose during the club’s training camp in Spain. Team doctors expect the player to continue to train shortly, but will be fitted with a special mask—akin to the protective gear that has seemed so popular in Italy this season.
–Zhirkov to . . . Kyiv?
Dynamo Kyiv is rumored to be considering a loan deal for Yuri Zhirkov. According to The Daily Mail, Zhirkov’s former CSKA coach Valery Gazzaev has made inquires into the possibility of the 26-year-old defender joining the Ukrainian champs until the end of the season.
While Zhirkov has not had frequent playing time with Chelsea since arriving in the summer of 2009, it would be surprising to see him shipped out of West London. With Carlo Ancelloti’s club still dealing with FA Cup fixtures and preparing for Champions League play later this month, Zhirkov may not receive a tremendous amount of time on the pitch but he is likely to be slotted in from time-to-time.
–A Winged Postponement
The Russian Football Union is currently holding hearings over club licensing for the upcoming season. While a mere formality for the majority of clubs, there have been reasons to question the future status of Krylia Sovetov Samara. However, the Wings have managed to postpone their particular case until 15 February, according to their official website. In the meantime the club will desperately be looking for sponsors.
–Spartak Nalchik 5:0 Hrvatski Dragovoljac (Croatia)
In Turkey, Nalchik’s resounding victory saw Marat Bikmoev tally a hat trick, while Vladimir Dyadyun and David Siradze added the other two.
–FK Siber Novosibirsk 1:1 Debrecen (Hungary)
Sibir’s goal was scored by Gennadi Bliznyuk in the 40th minute.
Siber’s squad (first half): Solosin; Valentić, Klimavičius, Vychodil, Molosh; Čížek, Shulenin, Savenas, Zinovyev; Bliznyuk, Medvedev.
(Second half): Bagautdinov; Aravin, Horák, Kolesnikov, Mineyev; Astafiev, Makarenko, Krug, Vasilijev; Degtyaryov, Shevchenko.
–FK Anzhi Makhachkala has sent 23-year-old defender Giorgi Havalovski on a six-month loan to Inter Baku, according to the Russian club’s official website.
Navalovski has been with Anzhi since 2008, after playing with Dinamo Tbilisi and Olimpi Rustavi (Georgia).
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