-Johan
Full Time Score: CSKA Moscow 1 – 1 Manchester United
Louis van Gaal said before the match that he would take a point from their visit to Moscow, but you cannot help but wonder if the team will not be leaving the city feeling that they dropped 2 points.
It was a match that saw Lingard make his debut and Valencia revert to right back position.
The match started at a ferocious pace with both sides trying to play with pace and freedom but not entirely dedicated in going forward and attacking the opponents.
Moscow pressed high initially and United started to string a few passes together and by the 15 minute mark took over the possession completely. Moscow changed tactics and started to drop and play from deep.
Musa, Doumbia and in particular Fernandes and Tosic were the main protagonists. In the 13th minute CSKA got into the United box and crossed to a waiting Tosic and De Gea was called into a great save only for the referee to award a penalty to CSKA. Replay revealed that Martial handled the ball in the penalty box.
Eremenko stepped up and hit a fine shot to the left corner but De Gea pulled off an amazing one handed save but unfortunately as the ball rebounded off the post, tried to clear it with his feet and ended up rolling the ball straight into the path of the oncoming Doumbia who buried the ball in the back of the net.
United continued to struggle against deep lying teams and for all their possession looked rather toothless and the best opportunities fell to CSKA Moscow.
In the 24th minute, Musa latched onto a reckless pass and it required both Jones and Smalling to close him down. It was ominous for United. Two minutes later Tosic ran onto a delightful pass, dribbled into the box and passed to Fernandes but De Gea came to the rescue once again.
Martial was always going to be the target man for United and CSKA was well equipped to deal with the threat ensuring that there were always a minimum of two players on him whenever the ball went in his direction.
The most disappointing player of the night was Lingard who clearly needs more playing time to improve his chemistry with the side. His runs was off and his positional play was questionable at times, but he does show promise when he dribbled through three players from outside the box, all the way out over the byline.
The fact that Rooney kept coming back for a short pass did not help matters either and it almost seemed as if the attacking players did not show enough awareness to try and run in behind the defense.
In the 35th minute Martial finally managed to get away from his markers after a brilliant pass from Schneiderlin. His pass on the outside of his right foot went into no man’s land and Rooney’s attempt was easily blocked.
Half time saw Schweinsteiger being replaced by Fellani. The next 15 minutes was a game of ping pong until the 60th minute when Herrera played Rooney into a gap, who for once did not turn and pass the ball back towards the midfield, but his attempt was off target.
Rooney got himself in the box again and tries to chip the ball to Fellani who made a superb run to put him in the perfect position but the goalkeeper collected his chip with great ease.
United had been taking control of the game, but two minutes later, Lingard collected a scrambled ball on the edge of the box, took two steps and tried to emulate Henry but it was a poor attempt and easily saved by Akinfeev.
Rojo, who had a fine game, was replaced by Blind in the 65th minute. A tactical change perhaps but in a tight game facing relentless counters, Blind was a potentially fatal replacement.
United’s efforts and patient control of the match paid off Herrera again showed world class vision by setting Valencia free on the right wing, who himself showed great awareness to curl his cross back towards the edge of the box just as the defense was pushing in and Martial scored in the bottom left corner with a sublime diving header.
This seemed to put United into overdrive, committing to a full frontal assault on the CSKA goal (to the extent Blind found himself so far up the pitch that Herrera was temporarily playing center back, with Smalling desperately trying to cover the vacated zone meant for Blind).
In the 78th minute, Jones lashed onto a free ball which he took into the box. It appeared promising briefly but was lost to the defender which won United a corner.
Depay replaced Lingard and in the 84th minute received the ball on the left wing, cut back inside and spotted Martial on the right. He played a high floating cross and everyone thought it was intended for Fellani but Martial crept in behind him, played it back to Fellani. The ball was lost as a result of the tight defence of CSKA Moscow.
United persisted but the game ended with a draw.
KEY POINTS
United made CSKA look a lot better than they were and this could be attributed to the toothless attack.
Martial on the left was rendered ineffective despite his goal heroics.
Blind was on the field for 25 minutes, probably sufficient to make an impact but his performance was mediocre at best.
There were some positives as well. Schneiderlin was outstanding and has become an unsung hero for United. He completed 119/127 (94%) passes, created 1 chance and had 5 recoveries. He was also successful in 3/4 tackles and had 3 interceptions of which 1 was vital.
Fellani was fantastic in the second half alongside Schneiderlin, He completed 33/40 (83%) passes, had 5 ball recoveries and had an attempt on goal, albeit off target, winning all 3 of his aerial duels.
The biggest influence came from Valencia who had his best performance at right back this season. He ran tirelessly all evening. Although I would love to see him take on players more when running up the flank, there is little fault in his performance.
Valencia completed 82/90 (91%) passes, completed 4/10 (40%) crosses, 1/2 take-ons, 8 ball recoveries, 2 chances and had 1 assist. In addition to his attacking stats, he was also successful in 4/4 (100%) tackles, made 1 interception, 2/3 clearances and won both aerial duels.
OVERALL
United controlled the game with 72% possession and 87% passes. However, there were plenty of back passes (268/745, 36%) and only 5 chances were created. Of the 7 shots at goal, only three were on target. Only 6/20 (30%) crosses were successful and they only won 3/6 (50%) of their attacking aerial duels.
Full Time Score: CSKA Moscow 1 – 1 Manchester United
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| Source: sportsdaily2014 |
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| Source: manutd.com |
It was a match that saw Lingard make his debut and Valencia revert to right back position.
The match started at a ferocious pace with both sides trying to play with pace and freedom but not entirely dedicated in going forward and attacking the opponents.
Moscow pressed high initially and United started to string a few passes together and by the 15 minute mark took over the possession completely. Moscow changed tactics and started to drop and play from deep.
Musa, Doumbia and in particular Fernandes and Tosic were the main protagonists. In the 13th minute CSKA got into the United box and crossed to a waiting Tosic and De Gea was called into a great save only for the referee to award a penalty to CSKA. Replay revealed that Martial handled the ball in the penalty box.
Eremenko stepped up and hit a fine shot to the left corner but De Gea pulled off an amazing one handed save but unfortunately as the ball rebounded off the post, tried to clear it with his feet and ended up rolling the ball straight into the path of the oncoming Doumbia who buried the ball in the back of the net.
United continued to struggle against deep lying teams and for all their possession looked rather toothless and the best opportunities fell to CSKA Moscow.
In the 24th minute, Musa latched onto a reckless pass and it required both Jones and Smalling to close him down. It was ominous for United. Two minutes later Tosic ran onto a delightful pass, dribbled into the box and passed to Fernandes but De Gea came to the rescue once again.
Martial was always going to be the target man for United and CSKA was well equipped to deal with the threat ensuring that there were always a minimum of two players on him whenever the ball went in his direction.
The most disappointing player of the night was Lingard who clearly needs more playing time to improve his chemistry with the side. His runs was off and his positional play was questionable at times, but he does show promise when he dribbled through three players from outside the box, all the way out over the byline.
The fact that Rooney kept coming back for a short pass did not help matters either and it almost seemed as if the attacking players did not show enough awareness to try and run in behind the defense.
In the 35th minute Martial finally managed to get away from his markers after a brilliant pass from Schneiderlin. His pass on the outside of his right foot went into no man’s land and Rooney’s attempt was easily blocked.
Half time saw Schweinsteiger being replaced by Fellani. The next 15 minutes was a game of ping pong until the 60th minute when Herrera played Rooney into a gap, who for once did not turn and pass the ball back towards the midfield, but his attempt was off target.
Rooney got himself in the box again and tries to chip the ball to Fellani who made a superb run to put him in the perfect position but the goalkeeper collected his chip with great ease.
United had been taking control of the game, but two minutes later, Lingard collected a scrambled ball on the edge of the box, took two steps and tried to emulate Henry but it was a poor attempt and easily saved by Akinfeev.
Rojo, who had a fine game, was replaced by Blind in the 65th minute. A tactical change perhaps but in a tight game facing relentless counters, Blind was a potentially fatal replacement.
United’s efforts and patient control of the match paid off Herrera again showed world class vision by setting Valencia free on the right wing, who himself showed great awareness to curl his cross back towards the edge of the box just as the defense was pushing in and Martial scored in the bottom left corner with a sublime diving header.
This seemed to put United into overdrive, committing to a full frontal assault on the CSKA goal (to the extent Blind found himself so far up the pitch that Herrera was temporarily playing center back, with Smalling desperately trying to cover the vacated zone meant for Blind).
In the 78th minute, Jones lashed onto a free ball which he took into the box. It appeared promising briefly but was lost to the defender which won United a corner.
Depay replaced Lingard and in the 84th minute received the ball on the left wing, cut back inside and spotted Martial on the right. He played a high floating cross and everyone thought it was intended for Fellani but Martial crept in behind him, played it back to Fellani. The ball was lost as a result of the tight defence of CSKA Moscow.
United persisted but the game ended with a draw.
KEY POINTS
United made CSKA look a lot better than they were and this could be attributed to the toothless attack.
Martial on the left was rendered ineffective despite his goal heroics.
Blind was on the field for 25 minutes, probably sufficient to make an impact but his performance was mediocre at best.
There were some positives as well. Schneiderlin was outstanding and has become an unsung hero for United. He completed 119/127 (94%) passes, created 1 chance and had 5 recoveries. He was also successful in 3/4 tackles and had 3 interceptions of which 1 was vital.
Fellani was fantastic in the second half alongside Schneiderlin, He completed 33/40 (83%) passes, had 5 ball recoveries and had an attempt on goal, albeit off target, winning all 3 of his aerial duels.
The biggest influence came from Valencia who had his best performance at right back this season. He ran tirelessly all evening. Although I would love to see him take on players more when running up the flank, there is little fault in his performance.
Valencia completed 82/90 (91%) passes, completed 4/10 (40%) crosses, 1/2 take-ons, 8 ball recoveries, 2 chances and had 1 assist. In addition to his attacking stats, he was also successful in 4/4 (100%) tackles, made 1 interception, 2/3 clearances and won both aerial duels.
OVERALL
United controlled the game with 72% possession and 87% passes. However, there were plenty of back passes (268/745, 36%) and only 5 chances were created. Of the 7 shots at goal, only three were on target. Only 6/20 (30%) crosses were successful and they only won 3/6 (50%) of their attacking aerial duels.
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