Late Silva goal salvages Monaco draw at CSKA Moskva
Tuesday, October 18, 2016
Article summary
Bernardo Silva equalised for Monaco late on, cancelling out Lacina Traoré's opener against his parent club and denying CSKA Moskva keeper Igor Akinfeev a long-awaited clean sheet.
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Bernardo Silva pounced on a rebound three minutes from time to earn Monaco a draw at CSKA Moskva in UEFA Champions League Group E.
Silva followed up to score after Igor Akinfeev produced an eye-catching stop in repelling Guido Carrillo's shot from the edge of the penalty area. It was cruel on the Russia No1, who was excellent on the night and was closing in on his first clean sheet in this competition in 40 matches.
Match and reaction as it happened
Akinfeev had earlier preserved the Army Men's slender advantage by rushing out to block Benjamin Mendy's way to goal. The pick of his saves came late in the first period when he intervened at point-blank range to thwart Andrea Raggi, who was first to react to the loose ball following a left-wing corner.
CSKA were leading by that point courtesy of Lacina Traoré's goal against the club that loaned him out in the summer. The Ivory Coast forward was in the right place 11 minutes before half-time after visiting custodian Danijel Subašić had parried an angled attempt from Zoran Tošić.
Key player: Igor Akinfeev (CSKA Moskva)
The 30-year-old was moments away from a long-awaited clean sheet. He did all he could to bury his unwanted statistic by pulling off a string of fine stops, the best of them coming when he turned away Raggi's close-range strike.
CSKA improvement
It was almost the perfect response from CSKA to their matchday two loss to Tottenham. In spite of the final score, Leonid Slutski's team gave a much improved display. They played with pace and determination as they took the game to their opponents, particularly in the first half. The performance, if not the result, should give them confidence going into their remaining three fixtures.
Reporter's view
Richard van Poortvliet, CSKA (@UEFAcomRichVP)
If CSKA can play with the same intensity for the rest of the group stage they will feel they have every chance of making the round of 16. Though they stepped it up in the closing exchanges, Monaco were a shadow of the side that was so impressive against Spurs. Both coaches have plenty to ponder ahead of the return match on 2 November.