CSKA confidently beat Dynamo in the capital's Super League derby

The Moscow derby between CSKA and Dynamo is always something more than just a match for three points. But this time the intrigue is twisted to the limit. The main reason is the mirror coaching castling in the offseason: CSKA legend Maxim Zinoviev is now building a new Dynamo, and Sergei Lavrentiev, who laid the foundation of the blue and white, returned to the army club to lead it to new heights. Not just teams will come together on the field, but two tacticians who know each other's strengths and weaknesses thoroughly.

The army car under the leadership of Lavrentiev at the start of the season looks almost unstoppable. Three matches — three confident victories, including the defeat of Rostov (6:0), a confident game with Chertanovo (3:0) and a strong-willed victory snatched in the 90th minute in a dramatic derby with Lokomotiv. The club's ambitions are confirmed by an unusual training camp in China, and a long-term five-year contract with the league's leader and best assistant Nadezhda Smirnova. CSKA is approaching the match in the status of a formidable and unconditional favorite, which leaves no chance for rivals.

Dynamo, in turn, is just finding its game under the leadership of Zinoviev. In the previous round, the team finally breathed a sigh of relief, having won the first, very important from a psychological point of view, labor victory over Rostov (1:0). Anastasia Shlapakova's goal was the result of the coach's tactical adjustments during the meeting. This victory, albeit with a minimum score, showed that the team has character and willingness to fight, and the debut of young football players Ksenia Pilnikova and Varvara Demidova indicates that Zinoviev, among other things, is building a team for the future.

However, the history of personal meetings still looks depressing for the blue and white: not a single victory in 10 official matches with eight defeats. This match is a chance for Dynamo not just to take points, but to break the most unpleasant tradition.

Will Maxim Zinoviev be able to find the key to the team that he himself created and led to great victories? Or will Sergey Lavrentiev's experience and CSKA's current form prove to be an insurmountable obstacle? This derby promised to be a real tactical and emotional thriller.

The game started with the expected pressure from the home team. CSKA took the initiative from the very first minutes and began to systematically undermine the Dynamo defense. The first truly dangerous moment did not take long to wait: already in the 5th minute, Serbian striker Sofia Kraysumovic struck a dangerous blow, after which the ball passed a few centimeters from the far post of Anastasia Ananyeva's goal. This episode set the tone for the whole first half.

Dynamovki, on the other hand, hardly got out from under the high pressure of the army team. The Blue and white rarely managed to keep the ball in the center of the field for a long time, and their attacks were rather episodic. The first retaliatory strike against the CSKA goal took place only in the 15th minute, when Isidora Vuchkovich decided on a long-range shot, but the ball passed significantly past the target without disturbing the goalkeeper of the army Alena Gryaznov.

CSKA continued to dominate, actively using the flanks and standard positions. One of the corners in the 22nd minute could have been a goal, but Daria Yakovleva's header turned out to be inaccurate. However, the pressure of the housewives still bore fruit. At the 25th minute, the score was opened: Nevena Damyanovich powerfully struck from a free kick, Anastasia Ananyeva managed to transfer the ball to the crossbar in a spectacular jump, but Tatyana Petrova turned out to be the quickest on finishing, who coolly sent the ball into the net – 1:0.

The missed goal did not change the pattern of the game. The army continued to control the course of the meeting, while Dynamo could not establish constructive actions in the attack. The only shot on target of the CSKA goal in the first half was delivered by Lamunat Mustafayeva in the 35th minute, but it turned out to be light and became easy prey for Gryaznova.

At the end of the half, CSKA could have doubled the advantage, but Daria Yakovleva from a killer position in the center of the penalty area shot well above the goal. The teams left for the break with a minimal, but absolutely deserved advantage of the hostesses.

During the break, the Dynamo coaching staff, led by Maxim Zinoviev, immediately made a double substitution, releasing Kristina Komissarova and Irina Dricheva in the hope of turning the tide of the meeting. However, the second half of the game began with another assault on the blue and white goal. Already in the 47th minute, Dynamo saved the goal frame again – the ball hit the crossbar after a dangerous CSKA attack.

Having withstood the initial onslaught, dynamovki managed to level the game a little. The team has become bolder to go forward and conduct counterattacks. Anastasia Shlapakova struck a good blow in the 55th minute, but the ball flew right into the hands of the goalkeeper. CSKA immediately responded with a sharp attack, and this time Ananyeva demonstrated her skills, taking the ball from the bottom corner in the fall.

The game in the second half of the match took place on opposite courses, but the army team acted sharper and more effective. The defensive line of CSKA competently built offside traps, which Dynamo attackers regularly fell into. The key episode of the second half occurred in the 69th minute.

Active Sofia Kraysumovich shot at the goal from outside the penalty area, and the ball hit the blue and white defender Anna Chudilina in the hand. Referee Maria Tkacheva pointed to the eleven-meter mark without hesitation. The regular CSKA penalty taker Nevena Damyanovich approached the ball and confidently realized the shot, setting the score 2:0, which eventually became final.

After the second goal, the outcome of the match became almost a foregone conclusion. CSKA confidently brought the game to victory, not allowing rivals to create anything dangerous at their gates. Dynamo's attempts to reduce the gap, including Kristina Komissarova's strike in the 86th minute, were unsuccessful - the ball missed the target again.

As a result: a well-deserved victory for CSKA, which dominated throughout the match and confirmed its championship ambitions. Dynamo showed fighting qualities, but this was not enough to face the leader of the Super League on equal terms.

For full information about the starting lineups and the events of the meeting, see the match center.