We got into the derby

The Russian Cup will be played by the capital's Spartak and CSKA

The finalists of the National Cup have been determined, and at the same time all the European Cup participants from Russia have been determined. The second most important Russian trophy will be played on May 20 by Spartak and CSKA. But since both of these clubs won places in the Champions League, a ticket to the UEFA Cup went to Rubin Kazan, which took fourth place in the last national championship.

The last time Spartak won the Russian Cup was in 2003. The final match against Rostov was the last for Oleg Romantsev as the head coach of the red-whites. The current acting coach of Spartak, Vladimir Fedotov, may also once again fade into the shadows, even if he wins the trophy. The club's management continues to look for a new head coach for the team, despite Fedotov's local successes. The main and, apparently, the only candidate is Stanislav Cherchesov. The former goalkeeper of Spartak and the current coach of the Austrian Tyrol was offered a contract for one and a half years. Cherchesov, who personally watched the 8th round game with Torpedo of his former and possibly future team in Moscow, is still thinking about this proposal. And if, after all, the owners of “Spartak” do not agree with Cherchesov, Vladimir Fedotov may well become the main contender for the post of head coach of the “red-whites” without the usual “acting” prefix for him.

In the meantime, Vladimir Grigorievich fulfills these duties regularly. Of course, all of Spartak’s problems did not disappear overnight, but the team produces results. Although in the return semi-final match of the Russian Cup with Saturn, the red-white defense failed more than once. In the 13th minute, Kovalevski saved his team twice after two consecutive point-blank shots from Eremenko and Dyuritsa. Later, the Spartak goalkeeper was saved from conceding a goal by the post, which Bareiro hit, and then the Paraguayan simply missed the goal. In turn, the guests were unable to create anything resembling dangerous moments until the 45th minute, when the Brazilian Mozart made a long pass to Cavenaghi, and the Argentinean, whose presence on the field was forgotten by everyone - from teammates to opponents, got ahead of the defender push the ball into the goal under Czech goalkeeper Kinski.

After the break, Saturn managed to win back. Bareiro finally achieved his goal and, having received a pass from Eremenko, managed to shoot through Kovalevski. And then the hosts conceded the second goal into their own goal - for some reason defender Zheder flew into one of the Spartak players with both feet, and the referee awarded a penalty, which Mozart mockingly converted. On this, in fact, it all ended for Saturn - with the score 1:2, the Moscow region team had to score twice in the remaining twenty minutes to reach the final. Whatever defense Spartak has, the task for Saturn’s attack is too difficult. So at the end of the match, only Spartak's Pavlenko scored, setting the final score - 3:1, which even Bareiro could not change with a penalty kick. And “Saturn” is once again left without a much-desired ticket to the UEFA Cup.

Zenit was also left without Europe. The team's owners hurried to fire Vlastimil Petrzhela, and the St. Petersburg team suffered their fourth defeat in a row. This time Zenit was defeated at home by CSKA - 0:3. The hosts conceded the first goal in the 8th minute. A simple attack by the army team ended with a shot from Vagner Love from an acute angle, and Zenit goalkeeper Chontofalski, who ran out to meet the Brazilian, saw the ball only behind his back in the net. The CSKA players doubled the score ten minutes later: Dudu clearly headed in a corner pass. And by the middle of the first half the score became 0:3. Again, success for Gazzaev's team was brought by a set piece play: a cross from the flank, a goalkeeper's error, and Ignashevich again headed the ball into the goal.

At half-time, Chontofalski was replaced. But, of course, Zenit could no longer save this. The most the hosts could hope for was to avoid a crushing defeat. But they didn’t succeed either, and Peter can only look forward to a new head coach.

Russian Cup. 1/2 finals . Return matches. "Saturn" - "Spartak" - 1:3 (first match - 1:1) - Bareiro 61 - Cavenaghi 45, Mozart 65 - pen., Pavlenko 82; “Zenit” – CSKA – 0:3 (0:1) – Vagner Love 8, Dudu 19, Ignashevich 30.

Andrey VDOVIN