RPL Matchday 18
FC Krasnodar 2-2 Torpedo Moscow
Sunday 5 March, FC Krasnodar Stadium
Goals: Krasnodar – Petrov (62), Cordoba (70); Torpedo – Stefanovich (9), Lebedenko (78)
Man of the Match: Ilzat Akhmetov (Krasnodar)
When first part of the season came to the end, Torpedo had two bad streaks with six straight games without goals and five-game losing streak. In Krasnodar it took nine minutes to deal with the first problem, league newcomer Ilya Stefanovich, came from Volgar of First League, surprised Krasnodar scoring to the bottom corner. The Bulls had an answer with their new players, as Cady Borges beat Aleksandr Dovbnya, but in that attacking phase there was handball play from Moses Cobnan David, so VAR cancelled goal.
Krasnodar turned the situation with skills, Ilzat Akhmetov broke through the defense, and his assist found Sergey Petrov to equalize. Later quick attack from Krasnodar was finished with masterpiece pass from Eduard Spertsyan and finisher by Jhon Cordoba. This time Andrey Talalaev used old school player from his bench, and 39-year-old Igor Lebedenko after eight minutes of play scored volley, being assisted by another new mate Roman Yuzepchuk, and tied the game. First goal this season from Lebedenko happened in 2-2 draw against Fakel, and now the history repeated in Krasnodar.
Krasnodar go seventh with 26 points, while Torpedo stay bottom on seven points.
Next RPL fixtures: Saturday 11 March – Torpedo vs Ural, Krasnodar vs Dynamo