FC Tambov 0-0 Rubin Kazan

Sunday 1 March, Nizhny Novgorod Stadium

Man of the Match: Georgi Melkadze

Leonid Slutskiy’s competitive return to Russian football ended on a flat note as Rubin Kazan were held to a goalless draw in FC Tambov’s first game in residence at Nizhny Novgorod stadium.

Rubin threatened early on when Zuriko Davitashvili’s cutback reached an unmarked Oleg Danchenko. His shot was deflected narrowly wide by Aleksandr Kaplienko.

Yuriy Dyupin was called into action three times within the next 20 minutes though. First Vladimir Obukhov forced a one-handed save from distance, before an even more acrobatic dive kept out Georgi Melkadze’s powerful effort.

Obukhov later caused trouble with a swerving drive, but despite the messy save the danger was cleared. Davitashvili responded with a delightful dance between four defenders, only to toe-poke it wide from 12 yards.

The second half started slowly, with the nearest opportunity coming from Melkadze. He had been put through thanks to a clever flick from Obukhov but sliced his shot wildly off target.

Five minutes later he was far more accurate after driving at goal from deep and shooting cleanly hit from distance. Moments later Mikhail Kostyukov’s brilliant chest control on the turn outfoxed Pablo Santos, but both chances were thwarted by Dyupin.

Kostyukov thought he’d given FC Tambov an invaluable lead with a smart close-range header but was adjudged to have pushed Pablo Santos. Melkadze had the last effort in added time when Danchenko’s panicked clearance gave away possession. Four defenders couldn’t stop his mazy run, but the shot drifted wide.

FC Tambov face Dynamo Moscow away next on Saturday 7 March, while Rubin Kazan take on Krylia Sovetov Samara at home on Sunday 8 March.

FC Tambov: Shelia, Kilin, Oyewole, Gritsaenko, Filin, Kaplienko, Tetrashvili (Karasev 90’), Ciuperca, Kostyukov (Mamtov 87’), Melkadze, Obukhov (Cardoso 85’)

Rubin Kazan: Dyupin, Danchenko, Starfelt, Santos, Zuev, Konovalov, Abildgaard (Davitashvili 62’), Jevtic (Bakaev 68’), Podberezkin, Kvaratskhelia (Makarov 89’), Ignatyev