A relatively inexperienced FC Krasnodar lineup shaded their friendly match against Krylia Sovetov Samara 1-0 on Sunday. Ilya Vorotnikov’s second-half goal was all that separated the sides.

The early stages saw both sides trade chances to draw first blood. The first opening went FC Krasnodar’s way as German Onugkha skied an early opportunity high and wide from Maksim Kutovoy’s cross into the box. 

Dmitriy Kabutov went much closer at the other end after cutting inside Andrey Ivashin, and Aleksandr Chernikov as his rasping shot drew a full-stretch diving save from Matvey Safonov. Smart play between Aleksandr Evinov and Sergey Ivanov then saw the latter blaze a shot over.

Kutovoy embarked on a surging run through the centre, and after weighing up options ahead of him decided to go it alone. It almost paid off handsomely, but his 25-yard rocket cannoned down off the crossbar and away.

Danil Utkin and Ilya Vorotnikov combined to set the former through to round Sergey Ryzhikov. His momentum carried him too wide, however, and defensive pressure smothered the chance.

The pressure was building from FC Krasnodar, however. After the break a sweeping move that spread out to the right flank lead to a strong half volley from Chernikov that stuck Aleksandr Anyukov in the back.

Ten minutes after half time Vorotnikov and Kutovoy forced Vitaliy Lystsov into ceding possession just outside his own penalty area. Vorotnikov took a couple of touches before curling a simple finish wide of Ryzhikov.

Kutovoy again outmuscled Lystsov on the halfway line before carrying the ball right to Krylia’s area. His shot didn’t match the power of precision of the build-up and dribbled wide. Not content with outwitting one centre-back, he turned Taras Burlak inside out shortly after before shooting wide.

Both sides played another friendly later on Sunday. FC Krasnodar took on Molde, while Krylia Sovetov faced Chinese Super League side Dalian Professional.

FC Krasnodar 1-0 Krylia Sovetov
16 February, Marbella, Spain
Goal: Vorotnikov (56’)

FC Krasnodar: Safonov, Borodin, Ivashin, Zhigulev, Utkin (Spertsyan 80’), Chernikov, Kaio (Litvinov 61’), Stotskiy, Kutovoy, Onugkha (Khalnazarov 38’), Vorotnikov
Krylia Sovetov: Ryzhikov (Ovsyannikov 46’), Poluyakhtov, Lystsov, Anyukov, Evinov, Burlak, Gatskan, Ivanov, Timofeev (Anton 30’ (Mijailovic 60’)), Kabutov, Golenkov