Zenit escape with a draw at Spartak

Spartak Moscow 1-1 Zenit St. Petersburg
Sunday 15 May, Otkritie Bank Arena

Goals: Spartak - Sobolev (49); Zenit - Mostovoy (pen 90+3)
Man of the Match: Viktor Moses (Spartak)

Already crowned champions Zenit went on the final trips this season and started with main rivalries Spartak. The Red-Whites are close to their worst finish since 2003, but this week they reached the Russian Cup Final, so the next meeting can take place in the Super Cup, if Spartak win the trophy.

This time Paolo Vanoli started with just one striker, as Aleksandr Sobolev made the start, while Zenit kept the duo of Yuri Alberto and Ivan Sergeev, and Daniil Odoevsky entered again as the main goalie. 19-year-old saved Sobolev’s shot at the beginning and did not have problems at all in the first half. When the second half started, Sobolev was again on target and beat the youngster with his header, getting fifth goal in the last five matchdays.

The goal assistant Mikhail Ignatov left the pitch for Samuel Gigot, who played his final match at Spartak Stadium, and Shamar Nicholson later came on for goal scorer Sobolev trying to find the chances on counter attacks. Three of five Brazilians in Zenit were substituted by Semak during the second half, Artem Dzyuba went to face his native team with Aleksandr Erokhin. The attacking midfielder was a joker again, when he earned a penalty after suffering a foul from Aleksandr Selikhov. 

Despite Malcom finished that attack with a goal, the VAR changed the decision to a penalty, and another substitute Andrey Mostovoy capitalized it to save a point for the champions.

Spartak remain 10th on 38 points, while Zenit extend their lead to 12 points.

Next RPL fixtures: Saturday 21 May - Nizhny Novgorod vs Zenit St. Petersburg; Khimki vs Spartak Moscow