On December 8, the Moscow football club CSKA had the final meeting in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League 2015-2016. The rivals of the charges of Leonid Slutsky were the footballers of the Dutch PSV Eindhoven.
Before the final sixth round of the 2015-2016 Champions League, CSKA players lost all chances of qualifying from the group. However, the third place would have allowed the “army team” to get into the spring of the European season from third place. Such a result would have allowed CSKA to play in the 1/16 matches of the UEFA Europa League. To achieve this result, it was necessary to defeat PSV.
Moscow “CSKA” before the start of the meeting had certain problems with the composition. Missed the game due to injuries Vasily Berezutsky (his place in the center of defense was taken by Alexey Berezutsky), right-back Mario Fernandez (Kirill Nababkin came out on the right flank) and playmaker Roman Eremenko.
The beginning of the meeting took place with a slight advantage of PSV. It was through the flank of Nababkin that the Dutch made their attacks over and over again. However, this did not work. CSKA footballers did not show sharp counter-attacking football. Slutsky's wards in the first half had no obvious scoring chances.
By the middle of the first half, the game leveled off, but the match itself was held at the same unhurried pace. Only in the final third of the half, Luc De Jung, the captain of Eindhoven had a real goal-scoring opportunity. The PSV forward headed the end of the serve from the right flank, but from the most advantageous position from several meters struck straight into the hands of Akinfeev. It was the only shot on target of the “army” gate in the first half. On the 36th minute, Zoran Tosic responded with a single shot on target PSV. After a dangerous free kick from the right flank, Tosic spun the ball into the far upper corner, but the goalkeeper of the Dutch champions rescued his team.
The first half ended in a goalless draw. The Dutch had a few percent more possession statistics, with one shot on target on each side. The only yellow card was received by CSKA player Pontus Wernbloom. Only the statistics of corners was in favor of the “army” (4 versus 2).
The second half began at the same unhurried pace. The audience did not see sharp attacks until the time. On the field, a power struggle has become more frequent, which entailed violations of the rules with subsequent warnings. At the 75th minute, the game exploded. A penalty was awarded to the hosts' goal for a very controversial foul in the penalty area of Eindhoven on Zoran Tosic. Sergei Ignashevich approached the ball. The CSKA defender skillfully threw a football shell and a goalkeeper in different corners. CSKA took the lead 1-0.
After conceding the ball, the hosts immediately rushed to recoup and it paid off. Already in the 78th minute, after the turmoil in the CSKA headquarters area, the ball bounced to the PSV captain. Luc De Jung struck the gates of the “army” from a few meters. The scoreboard lit up a draw.
The Dutch were eager to score more and their diligence was rewarded. In the last ten minutes of the meeting, PSV midfielder Davey Propper got a good shot from the free kick line. The midfielder skillfully put the ball into the corner of Akinfeev's goal.
At the end of the match, Tosic had the opportunity to recoup. Already in the fixed time, “CSKA” got the right to a dangerous free kick. However, the score on the scoreboard did not change until the final whistle.
Thus, CSKA lost 1-2, which deprived Slutsk's players of participation in European competitions. PSV Eindhoven footballers will now have to prepare for the Champions League playoffs.
