CSKA Moscow vs Vauxhall (Champions League 1st Rnd Leg 1)
Venue: CSKA-Peschanoye
Attendance: 20,555
Starting line up: Luis Guilherme — Julian Marino, Javier Godoy, Marat Bykov, Hans Larsson — Leandro Velasco, Robert Ackermann, Marcos Fernandez, Tiago — Zé Carlos, Ibrahima MBow
Team Talk: You can win today!
The Russian team had quite a few good players, starting with Igor Akinfeev between the sticks and Japanese Keisuke Honda in midfield, so I was expecting a rather difficult game. We were missing Parana due to a slight injury so MBow was given a chance to shine. We got off to a very slow start, the home side was playing much better than us and they made that count after just eight minutes when they scored the opening goal. We reacted quickly though and we made it all square after another eight minutes when Javier Godoy found the back of the net again with a good header on a Marcos Fernandez free kick cross. Our spell of domination continued until half time but Akinfeev pulled off a couple of miraculous saves to keep the score level at the interval.
Half time score: 1-1
Half time team talk: Pleased.
Half time substitutions: Emanuele Santoni for Marino, Walid Mechergui for Tiago, Wellington Paulista for M’Bow
Things got a lot better minutes after the break, one of the Russian centre backs got sent off for a violent tackle on Wellington Paulista and the resulting free kick saw Javier Godoy pushing in for his second goal of the game after Marat Bykov had headed on the cross from Fernandez. The Russians pulled back level on the hour mark with a great goal but they did receive some help from our centre backs who displayed some sloppy defending on that occasion. We were not to be denied though and we secured the deserved win five minutes later when Wellington Paulista headed home on a poorly taken corner kick. We could have scored one or two more but the 3-2 away win was good enough, we were almost sure of making the next round.
Full time team talk: Well done!
Man of the match: Javier Godoy
Flop of the match: Marat Bykov
Match Stats
Video Highlights
Click here to watch the highlights.
Meanwhile the takeover talks continued, one of the members of the board appeared to be ready to splash the cash and gain control of the club.
The month of March didn’t have any special games in store for us, the schedule appeared to be fairly easy and I was expecting straight wins throughout. My plans were too optimistic though as our very first game ended in a draw, Everton held us to a goalless ending but I guess we were a bit unlucky since we hit the woodwork twice and squandered a few other great chances. That result saw us dropping into second place, two points behind Tottenham…
Our form seemed to be dropping as the next game saw Blackburn leading 1-0 at half time but we managed to rally the troops in the second half and we won that game thanks to three wonderful goals. (Click here to watch the highlights.) The even better news was that Tottenham got beaten 2-1 at Manchester City so we were back in the lead with the Spurs one point behind us!
We repeated the good display seven days later in the FA Cup, Blackburn were unable to question our superiority so we qualified for the semi finals with ease. The return leg against CSKA Moscow was quiet enough, I sent in the backup players and they did a reasonably good job to beat them 2-0. We were through to the quarter finals for the second consecutive season and this time we were going to meet Italian giants AC Milan!
But before that challenging trip we still had to take care of the league… And we didn’t! Blackpool held us to a 1-1 draw as they scored on their one and only shot on target, I hate to see that happening!
That result saw us dropping back in second spot, one point behind the Spurs but 13 points clear of third placed Man City.
You could say that we’re still in with a good chance to win the title and I guess that is correct in theory. However, if you look at our fixtures you might change your prediction: our schedule in May is nothing short of infernal as we are going to meet Man United, Aston Villa and Chelsea right after the derby against Tottenham!
Meanwhile the Spurs have a much easier schedule, they will most likely grab maximum points out of the last three league games.
By the way, the takeover deal didn’t go through, it seems that our chairman decided to stay and enjoy the heated season finale.
And now, our usual sections! First, the Vauxhall Motors top five with Zé Carlos still in command thanks to his impressive 24 goals and 16 assists. Marat Bykov is second as he scored 10 goals and also provided 5 assists while Parana is third in my view, 19 goals and 11 assists is a great tally so far. Javier Godoy was quite impressive of late, the Argentine centre back recovered from a slow start to the season and pushed himself into the first eleven with a few great performances. Last but not least, Leandro Velasco continued to be a leader for the team with his 10 goals, 15 assists and countless dribbles.
This post’s hot prospect pick comes from Germany, meet 18-year old centre back Gerhard Heinrich. I paid no less than 4.3 million pounds to Stuttgart for this youngster but I believe that he’s well worth that sum given his very good mental attributes and excellent defensive technical skills. He still has to work a bit on his speed, once he will have decent pace and acceleration he will be promoted to the first team.
Before wrapping up let me update you on my progress with Argentina, you might remember that I took that job last year. We played six friendlies until now and I took advantage of the opportunity to experiment on different tactical modules and also to try several players. The results were not too good, we did manage to beat Denmark 6-0 but then we got beaten 3-0 by Portugal in a rather frustrating match. We won’t have any more games before the Copa America so I will have to evaluate the players thoroughly before the tournament, I wouldn’t want to get sacked :)
That’s how it went folks, not too bad but not excellent either. I don’t believe that we’ll be able to defend our title this season given Tottenham’s strength but I hope that we will at least grab the FA Cup and maybe advance to the semi finals of the Champions League. Thanks a lot for reading, I’m looking forward to answering your comments, questions and requests.
Darren Smith
12 июня, 2011 at 16:03
That was a tough run in Johnny, you dropped points in a few bad matches and that may well prove costly but the title race isn’t over. If your boys can step up to the mark its all back in the mix. That German regen looks full of potential btw, certainly ready for first team football in a few years.
Johnny Karp
12 июня, 2011 at 18:50
A tough run indeed… We do have a chance but we have to make a much bigger effort than Tottenham to win those last few games. About Heinrich, the only problem is his speed and I guess he should be ready in a couple of years.
Laxeyman
12 июня, 2011 at 16:56
There’s no way you’re out of the title race Johnny. Granted, it looks like Spurs have an easier run in, but you still have to play them, and if you win then anything’s possible. You’re in a great position in both cups too, and hopefully you can grab at least one of them. Good luck!
Johnny Karp
12 июня, 2011 at 18:51
Thanks Laxeyman. We’re not out of the race but Tottenham are the favorites at this point considering their schedule.
Sears
12 июня, 2011 at 17:00
Your only one point behind Spurs but like you said, they have a much easier schedule. Although I’ve a very strong gut feeling that you can pip them to the title! :-) Congrats on reaching the quarter final, hopefully you’ll beat AC Milan!
Btw, that German regen is amazing! He would easily make my Athletic starting XI :-D
Good luck
Johnny Karp
12 июня, 2011 at 18:52
Thanks Sears, your gut feeling surely makes me a bit more optimistic :) About Heinrich, he could play in most Premier League sides at the moment but not in mine given his speed :)
Kevin
12 июня, 2011 at 20:48
Hi Johnny
First off great win in Moscow that set the foundatios for passage into the quarter -finals. The EPL is now effectively a two horse race but you have a real stinker of a schedule ahead of you. Still I have faith in your managerial ability to push past Spurs and take the title and perhaps pick up the FA Cup as well :)
Johnny Karp
12 июня, 2011 at 21:25
Thanks Kevin, the title race will be extremely tough but we’ll give it our best shot.
joe lance
12 июня, 2011 at 21:03
Hi Johnny,
Finding it tough to defend your title huh? Yeah, experiencing that with my Liverpool side, you still got the chance, football is crazy. You dropped points against Blackpool, Spurs might drop points too, and you might just be lucky and win your tough games. All the best, and really hope you win at least a cup. Champions league?
Johnny Karp
12 июня, 2011 at 21:26
Thanks Joe, the FA Cup might be easier to win than the Champions League but who knows? It will be tough to defend the title although we will probably have more points than we had last season!
Lye
13 июня, 2011 at 02:31
Hi Johnny,
Your remaining fixtures is tough but i don’t believe Tottenham will run away with the title. I am betting you to beat Tottenham. If you can do that, it will give you some cushion as well as the morale boost to beat Man Utd, Aston Villa and Chelsea. The cup competitions went pretty well and i am looking at you to win at least one of those. Good luck.
Johnny Karp
13 июня, 2011 at 09:33
Hi Lye, you might be right about Tottenham, we beat them at home in December after all and we could do that away too although it might be a bit more difficult. Thanks for the good luck wish.
Erick Wolf
13 июня, 2011 at 03:04
Tough luck Johnny!
I’m sure Tottenham will slip up soon, but I hope your team can take advantage of that!
Good to see you doing well in the CL too.
Johnny Karp
13 июня, 2011 at 09:33
Thanks Erick, it will be a tough finale for both teams I guess.
Stromson
13 июня, 2011 at 03:05
Yikes, this one looks to be a nail bitter! It’ll be very tough, but I think your game against Tottenham will be the ultimate title decider (I see both of you winning the remaining fixtures). Elsewhere you’re looking quite solid though, and 2nd place still gets you into the Champion’s League (you know, worst case scenarios and all that). Good luck!
Johnny Karp
13 июня, 2011 at 09:35
Thanks Stromson. Finishing second would be a failure though, we won the title last year and everything else but the title would be disappointing.
CsAtlantis
13 июня, 2011 at 04:53
The title race between you and Tottenham could come in pretty close, goal difference could make the difference (no pun intended there…..:P), you can get a lot of momentum towards another league championship if you can beat Tottenham, a good result against CSKA Moscow away, you’ll have to face AC Milan next eh? Win over both legs and you will have to play more games too, might want to take that into account
Gerhard Heinrich looks like a good prospect (another one of those German players who have a *ahem* different origin? :D), but I think you should give priority to developing his jumping over his decent pace and acceleration, he doesn’t look like winning many headers with a jumping of 7
Good luck in your tough league fixtures, why are Arsenal at number eight behind Blackburn and Villa?
Johnny Karp
13 июня, 2011 at 09:39
Thanks CS, the goal difference could prove decisive, you’re right about that. Heinrich does look like he was adopted by a German family, or maybe his mother comes from a sunnier place :) You are right about his jumping, that one should be improved too, but speed is the priority given my tactical setup. About Arsenal, I don’t understand why they are having such a bad season, they surely have good players in my view.
Sibo
13 июня, 2011 at 13:26
Good stuff Johnny, I think yo can win it, it will be a tough slog for sure but you have done great things with Vauxhall and if you beat Spurs you can do it! :D
Well done and good luck, in all your competitions! :D
P.S. The German regen is really good but I agree he needs some work on his speed.
Johnny Karp
13 июня, 2011 at 13:31
Thanks Sibo, it will be a tough finale and my lads will have to prove their worth. I still believe in them, they are as good as anybody in the Premier League.
vaibhavc
13 июня, 2011 at 15:50
Hey Johnny
The game against Tottenham in the league will decide who wins the title. I really hope you edge that game. Very good progress in the Champions League, but I don’t expect you to win it!
Johnny Karp
13 июня, 2011 at 18:46
Hey Vaibhav, the Tottenham game will be decisive only if we win all the games before that one and probably all those after it. About the Champions League, my goal is to reach the semi finals this year, one step closer than last season :)
Sayam Khan
13 июня, 2011 at 17:09
Hi Johnny, Interesting post I must say, nothing is decided yet, and like Vaibhav, I think the Tottenham game could turn out to be the decider! Good Luck!
Johnny Karp
13 июня, 2011 at 18:47
Thanks Sayam.
Mariano
13 июня, 2011 at 17:51
Very nice post!
Tottenham is doing a great campain, as I remember it did in your Dorchester game!
The takeover didn´t happen, maybe the new chairman could give you lots of money!
In my Havant game once I was in the premier league there were rumours of a takeover and it was very scary because the new chairman said that he was going to hire a Danish manager!
Hopefully during the time the talks of the takeover started till it actually happened , the danish manager was hired by Derby:)
Good luck against Milan and in the season´s end Johnny!
Johnny Karp
13 июня, 2011 at 18:48
Thanks Mariano, I don’t believe that the takeover will take place but if it does the new chairman wouldn’t dare to replace me :)