Representing A Continent

Oh Boy

Maksim Smirnov - The season is flying past as we reach the midway stage of this season's Rosgosstrakh Chempionat Rossii, with CSKA sitting top of the table. Let’s take a look at this month's results with some huge victories.




Sergei Titov - A great month, with two massive wins over Spartak Moscow and Zenit in particular. That win against Spartak was one that impressed me the most, going ahead early and despite them equalising, we carried on playing well and came out as 3-1 victors. It was an all round display from everyone on the pitch. We also had a great piece of news a day before the Spartak game with Ivan Oblyakov signing a new contract at the club.



Vadik Vassily - We weren’t allowed to benefit from that momentum as an international break intervened before our game against Zenit St. Petersburg. That didn’t seem to matter though, as we took the lead just after the half an hour mark, having dominated the early proceedings. The first half was going very well despite Zenit’s inflated spending over the summer, we looked the better side. But with seconds until the halftime whistle, they grabbed an equaliser. One of their cheaper acquisitions Dmitry Stotskiy netted the goal to make it 1-1. We continued to be the better side in the second half, and that was rewarded with Nikola Vlasic getting the late winner in the 92nd minute.

Maksim Smirnov - With two incredible results to start the month, we then had to travel to Spain in our third game of the Champions League. Despite a tired squad, we took the lead inside ten minutes against Atlético Madrid, with Arnór Sigurðsson continuing to star for us as he opened the scoring. However, a Thomas Lemar penalty turned the tide with Vitolo and Diego Costa giving Madrid the win.

Vadik Vassily - Despite the defeat in Spain, it didn’t harm us domestically as we immediately bounced back with a 5-1 victory over Ural. Fedor Chalov gave us the lead in the first minute before they equalised fifteen minutes later. But second half goals from Alan Dzagoev, Lucas Santos, Ivan Oblyakov and Igor Diveev gave us an emphatic win. It was a big win and another impressive performance as we saw twenty-six attempts on goal.

Sergei Titov - Lucas Santos and Fedor Chalov continued in their scoring ways to give us qualification into the next round of the cup. That two goal win gives us our place in the quarter final where we will face Krasnodar.

Maksim Smirnov - To see out the month we once again scored five goals in an away win against Tambov. Nikola Vlasic and Arnór Sigurðsson both scored braces, before a late own goal gave us the win. The goals were the pairs ninth and eleventh goals in all competitions respectively, with Vlasic currently topping the scorers list in the league.

Vadik Vassily - Vlasic continues to star this season with five assists adding onto his nine goals in all competitions. His performances continue to attract attention from the likes of Premier League club Newcastle United. Despite only being on his current contract for just under a year and a half, it might be time to try and sign him up to a new one.

Sergei Titov - I think the club would love to do that, but it’s all down to the player. We know he struggled to impress in his first stint in England so maybe he will want a chance to prove his ability there. His great performance this month means he is awarded with the October Player of the Month award this month.


Vadik Vassily - Just like the start of the month, we end the month off with news that we have agreed a partnership with Shandong Luneng. The club, who currently ply their trade in the first division of the Chinese League. This season they ended in 6th place, just two points outside of continental competition.

Maksim Smirnov - We have five games to play in November. We start off with the home fixture against Atlético Madrid. Our other Champions League game comes away to Manchester City with two games against SKA-Khabarovsk and Rubin Kazan, separating the two european ties. To end the month we welcome Akhmat in hope of ending the first half of the season on a high.


Sergei Titov - It’s not going to be an easy month once again. We have two tough tests against Atlético Madrid and Manchester City, losses in those two games will end any hope of getting into the Europa League let alone the next round of the Champions League. We also have Kazan and Akhmat in the league who are never walk overs. I’d expect a pretty easy task against SKA as the one game this month we may see some rotation. I think we can expect seven league points this month, dropping two at Kazan. Whilst in the Champions League I think a point against Madrid would be a great result.

Vadik Vassily - I’m going to be a bit more positive. I think we win all of our league games this month and really push ahead in the league standings. Although Spartak has a relatively easy month so we may not go too far ahead. I think a point at home to Madrid would be great also but I can’t see us getting anything against Manchester City, especially away. I’d really like to see us take the game to them both though, see if we can surprise them after sitting back in our first few Champions League games.

Maksim Smirnov - So some good performances and results in the league expected and a request to go at the Champions League opponents. What do you have to say about that? Let us know but for now, thank you for watching.

*Taken from the CSKA Armiya Youtube Channel 1st November 2020*

Replies

Eoin:Was the way many were bought up unfortunately, some still have it in them today as we have seen from Boyra in past updates!
Scott:Glad I can chuck in a surprise
Justice: Oh boy indeed!

Flying out of the gates in the league, great start!

What does Jacob do in his free time? He drinks Smirnov vodka at the Titov bar. It’s a Vadiktion for him.

Putin in some great performances, I am very Vlad to see it! On a serious note, brilliant start to the season and long may it continue!!, (unlike Soviet Russia, which didn't continue for very long....)

Unlucky Zenit! A great set of results.

25th November 2020

Sometimes, your work life and your personal life crosses over, today was one of those days for me. I’d been ‘watching’ Luke for over a year now for ‘the man behind the phone’. This season has gone incredibly well so far, still sitting top of the league with a game to go in the league's first half of the season.

This month had been no different so far having stunned Atlético Madrid at home 3-1, goals coming from Vlasic, Atlético de Madrid and Santos to give us our first three points in the group. We followed that up with a 3-0 win over SKA-Khabarovsk and a 0-0 draw away to Rubin Kazan. Despite a 3-0 loss to Manchester City, following the loss it was announced that Luke Hendricks had signed a brand new contract with the club. That’s where my personal life and work life crossed, as I sat at a press conference for the new deal.

“So Luke” a reporter began “You sit here having signed a new deal with CSKA Moscow adding an extra two years to your deal taking you through to 2023. What has made you want to commit to that extension?”

“Well simply put I have been at this club for a decade now, in various capacities, and I have loved every minute. I have won league titles here but I have never enjoyed myself as much as I am at the moment. Every day presents a new challenge but it is one I am loving and I am focused on taking this team to the best of it’s capabilities.” Luke answered. “The players have been fantastic and are buying into the way we want to be doing things. I think the squad is well balanced with a good spread of youth and experience in the dressing room.” he continued.

It was the same boring press conference as normal, reporters asking the same cliche questions, whilst Luke gave the same cliche answers. A focus on the season's star players, Nikola Vlasic, Ivan Oblyakov and Arnór Sigurðsson. The worry of losing players in the transfer window, the potential of new arrivals in that same window. It was everything anyone with any interest in the sport had heard before.

“With Inter left to play in the Champions League, what chances do you give yourselves in finishing 3rd and therefore qualifying for the Europa League?” asked another reporter.

“It’s obviously going to be a tough game but we are at home and I will back us against anyone, especially with our fans behind us. We know we are without a chance to get into the next stage of this competition which is a shame but we always knew this group would be a massive challenge. The task is simple, anything but a win isn’t enough to continue in Europe, so we know what is needed. I have every faith in this team to get it done” answered Luke.

Despite all the same general questions and answers it didn’t bother me. I was able to do my ‘job’ without being made, no worry about Luke becoming suspicious. The ‘man behind the phone’ had been clear I couldn’t be spotted or else everything would be blown, so I needed to do what I could to learn about Luke from afar. That was clearly something he was good at, ‘the man behind the phone’, watching from afar. I got constant photos sent of my wife, I assume to ensure I knew he was still following her.

I still hated how my life had been turned around by one phone call, but I still couldn’t risk losing the love of my life after one stupid mistake. Especially not now. Not when she was pregnant with our first child.

We had always spoken about having kids, and after a few months of trying, Natasha finally got the result we had been waiting for. Due in March, she was getting toward the later stages of the pregnancy and any stress now could cause both her and the baby major issues. It wasn’t something I could bare to let happen. Therefore watching Luke and providing whatever the ‘higher powers’ needed was just something I had to do.

“Sergei Titov, CSKA Armiya, Luke, with Spartak Moscow continuing to show their quality, they look a tough team to overpower in the long run. What is the long term aim for this side?” I questioned.

Replies

Griffo:Been a good start for sure! Need to keep it going.
Justice:How long do these take you?
Eoin:Thank you Been a good start but the second half of the season will be massive for us.
Scott:Pretty happy to beat that lot!

He is well and truly a puppet on a string. They have him exactly where they want him.

I feel like you need "a particular set of skills"

Luke really needs to look over his shoulder and wake up to what is going on around him. He's stuck in a shark tank as a small fish here.

Hopefully he wasn’t made to look like a right Tit with that question.

Most characters in this story are bent over a barrel here Someone has something on everyone, so very intriguing.

A 30 yard strike from Ivan Oblyakov gave CSKA Moscow a 1-0 victory, seeing the Russian side finish 3rd in their Champions League group, thus placing them into the 1st knockout round of the Europa League.

In the snow, with temperatures touching -11° it took a moment of magic to separate the two sides vying to continue in European competition. With Inter Milan only needing a draw to finish 3rd and with a win seeing them finish 2nd in the group, CSKA needed all three points to get the Europa League spot in the group.

The game got off to a slow start with the cold conditions clearly impacting the Inter Milan side as CSKA controlled the opening exchanges but very rarely threatening the Italians goal.With both sides adapting to conditions chances began to come with Milan hitting the post in the 36th minute with Romelu Lukaku almost putting his side ahead.

As the teams came out of the dressing rooms for the second half with the game still tied up at 0-0, Inter were still seen as the favourites. But with just inside the hour mark, the ball fell to Ivan Oblyakov. Despite the space to run into, Oblyakov struck a venomous shot that fired into the top right hand corner. A 1-0 lead sent the Russian fans into raptures with manager Luke Hendricks clearly aiming to keep his side calm.

In doing so he turned to one of his most senior players Alan Dzagoev who came on for Volodymyr Shepelev, a player recently linked with a move away from the club. Also entering the pitch was Ilzat Akhmetov, however, his game ended very quickly having suffered a tight groin injury. Heading into the final ten minutes, Inter were chasing the game, with numerous chances, but the heroics of Igor Akinfeev kept his side in the lead. A corner in the final seconds, saw a free header for Stefan de Vrij, but the Dutch defender headed over the bar, confirming the three points for CSKA.

The result sees CSKA move off the bottom of the group for the first time having suffered three straight losses in the opening three games. A victory over Atlético Madrid shocked many but gave the Russian side a chance. Bought right back down to earth by a 3-0 away loss to Manchester City meant a victory was the requirement for Luke Hendricks' side. That victory was confirmed and the South African struggled to hide his feelings.

Luke Hendricks:

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“An excellent result for sure. Not many expected us to finish anywhere but bottom of this incredibly tough group but we fought hard and apart from the 3-0 loss to Manchester City I feel we made every game competitive. The win over Atlético Madrid gave us hope and today we have shown our quality. I am delighted with what we have done here and now we can have a good Christmas before getting back to work.”

As mentioned by Hendricks, CSKA Moscow will now have a two month break as the Russian league pauses for the winter due to their harsh weather conditions. They will return earlier than most in Russia though with their First round knockout tie to be played in February.

The draw will take place on Monday 14th December with a number of quality teams still left in the draw including the likes of Liverpool, who currently top the English Premier League, Chelsea and Roma. There will also be the likes of Juventus, Tottenham Hotspur and Napoli joining CSKA in the draw having finished 3rd in their Champions League group.

With some great teams still left in the draw Hendricks made it clear he knew the challenges that the competition will pose.

Luke Hendricks:

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“We played in this competition last year and we know the quality of opposition in this competition. We know the threat it may pose but we will be working hard and focus on whoever we are drawn against. If we play how we have in Europe so far this year, we will be competitive no matter who we play.”

CSKA can certainly be happy with how 2020 has ended with the side sitting top of the Russian League and now into the knockout rounds of the Europa League.

Replies

Scott: It certainly seems that way...
Griffo: It seems Luke is being 'Taken' advantage of
Eoin: Hopefully he realizes before its too late!
Justice: Believe Luke told him to piss ov
Jack: The amount of blackmail somebody has is at an all time high it seems.

A must needed win, which sees Hendricks side knock out Italian Giants Inter Milan out of Europe altogether and sees his side pogress to the UEFA Europa League knockout stages. Hope the players and Hendricks enjoy their deserved winter break!

Sometimes you need a screamer to make your opponent submit! Sad to see the club depart the Champions League but a spot in the Europa League Knockout Rounds surely makes up for that, you just need to make the most of that opportunity from here.