Time deposit

Spartak was eliminated from the UEFA Cup, but raised the Russian coefficient

The confident victory of the capital's Spartak over Marseille in the return match of the 1/8 finals of the UEFA Cup - 2:0 did not allow the Russian team to continue its path in the tournament. Too much was missed in the first game, which ended in the defeat of the Muscovites. But Spartak's victory was not useless. Thanks to her, Russia has surpassed Romania in the UEFA coefficients table, and in 2009 it will be able to field three clubs in the Champions League.

Stanislav Cherchesov spent the whole week convincing the fans and the team that they had the power to perform miracles of any complexity. Having extended his contract with the club until 2010 and having received a decent charge of optimism, the Spartak coach tried his best to pass it on to his players. Following the wave of their head coach, the “red-white” players switched gears only at the end of the first half.

Before this, the hosts could twice say goodbye to their last illusory hopes of reaching the quarterfinals. “Marseille”, having checked the pre-match statements of the Spartak players and coach, was preparing for a stormy assault and, not waiting for it, was even slightly upset. Cisse could cheer himself and his partners up on this frosty Moscow evening. In the ninth minute, the visiting forward's shot, slightly adjusted by a rebound from Spartak's defenders, hit the woodwork of Pletikosa's goal. The second time the Croatian goalkeeper thanked the goalkeeper, which, according to football folklore, is the best friend of every goalkeeper, was already in the 36th minute - the same Cisse, in one of the counterattacks, did not approach the goal, but struck a targeted shot from afar.

The time between these two episodes was supposed to be filled with Spartak attacks. But the impression was that the hosts, who had been training at Luzhniki all week, had not gotten used to the slippery artificial turf. Every second rebound was a surprise for them, and most often unpleasant; after every third acceleration, their boots slipped. So, in difficult weather conditions, the hosts managed to create only one chance in the first half of the half, but it was one hundred percent: Welliton jumped up one on one with Marseille goalkeeper Mandanda, but failed to shoot low into the far corner past the goalkeeper’s hands.

But the Muscovites’ second chance turned into a goal. Another serve from the Spartak newcomer Maidana from the left flank would have been harmless if not for Pavlyuchenko’s persistence. The lanky striker frightened the defenders and goalkeeper so much that they forgot about the short Pavlenko, who, watching for the rebound, shot into the near corner - 1:0.

The success inspired the Spartacists to launch a five-minute assault. But the ensuing break noticeably cooled the ardor of the home team's attacks. “Marseille” entered the second half again in complete calm and, while in possession of the ball, tried to protect themselves as much as possible from possible troubles and had several chances for this. But, apparently, it really was not the day of Cissé, who was entrusted with completing all French attacks.

By the way, from the middle of the second half there were noticeably fewer of them. “Spartak” at some point caught its game, Dzyuba joined Pavlyuchenko in attack, and in midfield Bystrov replaced Titov, who entrusted the center of the field to Pavlenko. As a result, the latter became the co-author of Spartak’s second goal. His passage along the right flank ended with a cross into the center of the penalty area, where Dzyuba was desperately fighting for position. His efforts were not in vain. Even though he didn’t get to the ball, he organized a rebound, which Pavlyuchenko was the first to reach – 2:0. For the final and decisive assault, Spartak had five minutes left, plus those that were compensated by the referee. But the hosts no longer had the strength to organize pressure on the Marseille goal. Miracles still happen noticeably less often than Stanislav Cherchesov would like.

Andrey VDOVIN