Ten-man Volga upset Dynamo

Volga Nizhny Novgorod created a major upset in the opening match day of the Russian Premier League, beating Dynamo Moscow 1-0 despite being down a man.  

­CSKA Moscow 1-0 Rostov

Fabio Capello was spotted in the stands at Khimki Arena outside Moscow. The man to be named Russia’s football coach in the coming days witnessed an equal encounter.

The only goal was scored ten minutes into the second half, when an unmarked Seydou Doumbia left no chance to Rostov keeper Stipe Pletikosa after a lovely assist from Aleksandr Cauna, 1-0.

“It’s very important to get a goal already in the first game of the season. It gives you motivation to score more and more,” Doumbia told Sportbox.ru. “Our main task for the season is winning the title. Becoming the league’s top scorer is optional.”  

Volga Nizhny Novgorod 1-0 Dynamo Moscow

A harsh and absolutely unnecessary tackle in the middle of the pitch saw Volga’s Ilya Maksimov get a straight red card six minutes after the break.

But, despite being man down, it was the host squad who went in front on 69th minute.

Aleksey Sapogov displayed some great dribbling skills before finding the head of Aleksandr Shulenin with a cross, 1-0.

Dynamo had a chance to salvage a point, but a stoppage time effort from Andrey Panyukov was off the mark.  

Alania Vladikavkaz 1-2 Spartak Moscow

Spanish coach Unai Emery travelled to the Republic of North Ossetia for his debut at the helm of Spartak Moscow.

The former Valencia manager was celebrating after less than a minute of play as Emmanuel Emenike netted the opener for the visitors after just 11 seconds.

But Premier League newcomers Alania equalized on the 14th minute as Arsen Khubulov delivered a powerful blast from inside the box after the corner, 1-1.

The game was heading for a draw, but Spartak were lucky to bag all three points on the night.

An 86th-minute cross from Pavel Yakovlev, who had just come in as a sub, was redirected into his own net by Alania’s Anton Grigoryev, 1-2.