Zilina overwhelmed 3-0 by Spartak Moscow

Last night Zilina were in Russia taking on Spartak Moscow in their second Champions League group F match.

They found themselves up against a very determined and attacking Spartak team, though, which would prove too much for the Slovaks. With all the attacks on goal, the Zilina team should maybe be content with the 3-0 defeat.

It was the Brazilian players in the Spartak Moscow team that would do the damage, as striker Ari scored twice while his countryman Ibson scored the third goal in the dying seconds.

Spartak coach Valeri Karpin gave the squad from Zilina credit, though, saying it was much tougher to win than it looked, especially in the first half.

Irish midfielder Aiden McGeady came close to scoring in the ninth minute, as his shot from just outside the box skimmed past the goal. A few minutes later the Brazilian captain Alex saw his shot fly upwards over the bar.

Zilina eventually succumbed to the pressure in the 34th minute when Ari headed the ball high over Zilina goalkeeper Dubravka’s head. There was some confusion as the ball was cleared by a Zilina defender, but he was well inside the goalmouth and so the goal stood.

Zilina fought back in the second half, bringing on their Gambian super striker Ceesay. He caused the Spartak defence some problems, but they were too disciplined.

Spartak got their second goal with about an hour on the clock as Ari latched on to a cross from Dmitry Kombarov. They then buried the Zilina team in the closing seconds as substitute Ibson guided Maidana’s cross into the goal.

Zilina’s next match is on 19 October away against Marseille. Now Chelsea and Spartak share the top of the table with 6 points each, so any hope of Zilina advancing to the next stage is fading fast.

Champions League Group F