RPL Matchday 9
Akhmat Grozny 1-3 FC Pari Nizhny Novgorod
Saturday 10 September, Akhmat Arena, Grozny

Goals: Akhmat – Zhuravlev (59); Pari NN – Suleymanov (22, 61), Gotsuk (64)
Man of the Match: Timur Suleymanov (Pari NN)

Mikhail Galaktionov tripped to Grozny for the first time since 2018, when he was working as Akhmat head coach. It was not warm welcome, as the hosts got the penalty, Lechi Sadulaev fell after contacting Lucas Masoero. Gamid Agalarov, who spent last three league matchdays on the bench, came as starter, but he slipped and touched the ball twice, so despite scoring the goal was called off. When Giorgi Shelia slipped near his net, it turned into a problem, Timur Suleymanov gave the lead to Nizhny with a parachute goal.

Last season top scorer Agalarov was substituted for Vladimir Ilyin in the half-time, and it gave the result. Ilyin hit the post from the corner kick, Yury Zhuravlev got the goal from the rebound. Two minutes past, and Pari NN move impressed, as Milson ran to the box and made an assist for Suleymanov’s second goal and his second brace this season. Then classic combination finally worked on, Nikolay Kalinsky sent the ball from free kick, and Kirill Gotsuk, who celebrated birthday this day, scored the header. Another strong performance from Galaktionov side in the second half brought them second straight win.

Pari NN move Akhmat from eighth place with 12 points, and Grozny team drop to ninth on 11 points.

Next RPL fixtures: Saturday 17 September – Ural vs Akhmat; Sunday 18 September – Pari NN vs Orenburg