Vaclav Kadlec Rescues Point For Czechs
The Russians dominated but in the end Sparta grabbed a point and even had chances to win the game...
CSKA Moscow dropped their first points in the group stage of the Europa League, after a 1-1 draw with Sparta Prague in the Letna Stadium, but the hosts could've had more.
Alan Dzagoev gave the visitors the lead early in the first-half but an equaliser by Vaclav Kadlec gave the hosts something to fight for in the second period. Both teams squandered decent chances, however Leonard Kweuke struck the post and headed wide with two excellent opportunities for the Iron Spartans.
Both Sparta Prague and CSKA Moscow were already assured of their progression to the knockout stages making tonight's fixture somewhat of a practice match. However CSKA were looking to make a clean sweep in Group F having won every game so far.
Coach Leonid Slutsky put faith in his youngsters by naming only fifteen players in his squad to travel to Prague, and it looked to have paid off in the early going.
Forward Alan Dzagoev put the Army Men in front on a freezing evening in the Czech capital. Zoran Tosic's cross was expertly finished by the young Russian who has seen more regular game time since the departure of fans favourite Milos Krasic.
Dzagoev threatened on a number of occasions and came inches away from doubling the Moscovites lead, however the tie was level just before half-time.
Sparta striker Vaclav Kadlec latched on to a pass from Jakub Podany to make it 1-1 in the 44th minute.
Tomas Necid was not a popular man on his return to his homeland, having played for Slavia Prague and was whistled down by the home fans with every touch. Wonderful skill by the Czech international created space to shoot just before the hour mark but his effort was easily covered by Daniel Zitka.
CSKA dominated the game with neither side really stretching themselves to push for the victory. Sparta did create an excellent opening when Juraj Kucka broke down the right but the Slovakian decided not to pull the ball back with three men waiting in the six-yard box.
Dzagoev should have won the match for the Russians with fifteen minutes left. The CSKA scorer tried to flick the ball behind him for a team-mate when it would have been much easier to just hit the net.
Sparta were inches away from snatching all three points in the 80th minute, and most of the ground thought the ball had nestled into the goal. Kweuke headed agonisingly wide with stand-in keeper Sergei Chepchugov landing into his side netting, as he scrambled across his line.
Kweuke came even closer as the game moved into stoppage time as the big striker foxed three defenders with a dummy but struck his shot off the post.
The draw made no difference to the table, leaving CSKA in first and Sparta in second.