Schürrle-inspired Wolfsburg knock out CSKA
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Article summary
CSKA Moskva 0-2 Wolfsburg
Introduced after 61 minutes, André Schürrle created the first, an Igor Akinfeev own goal, and scored late on as the Wolves ended CSKA's hopes.
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- Wolfsburg stay top of Group B after Manchester United draw with PSV
- Substitute André Schürrle has a role in the first goal and scores the second
- CSKA keeper Igor Akinfeev deflects in Schürrle's shot for the opener
- CSKA, bottom of the section, are out of contention for a top-two finish
- Final Group B games: PSV v CSKA, Wolfsburg v Manchester United (8 December)
Wolfsburg strengthened their prospects of a place in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 with victory against a CSKA Moskva side who are now out.
An own goal from CSKA keeper Igor Akinfeev, who deflected in substitute André Schürrle's angled shot, and an 88th-minute second from the German international lifted the Bundesliga club to the top of the section. CSKA, who have lost four successive games in all competitions, cannot finish higher than third.
Bottom-placed CSKA were looking for a quick start. However, Leonid Slutski's men were frustrated as Wolfsburg sat back and appeared happy to try and hit their hosts on the counterattack.
The pacey Ahmed Musa was proving to be a useful outlet for the Army Men, yet the Nigeria forward was often isolated. When the 23-year-old did manage to fashion some space in the 34th minute, he directed a left-footed effort from an acute angle into the side netting.
Wolfsburg were now dominating possession and causing the Russian league leaders problems down their right flank, Max Kruse and Daniel Caligiuri combining to good effect. Kruse had the Wolves' best first-half chance on 36 minutes but shot straight at Akinfeev.
CSKA began well after the resumption, Alan Dzagoev having a decent opportunity with Diego Benaglio momentarily out of position. The Wolfsburg No1 recovered well, though, to save with his legs.
Although Maximilian Arnold's stinging drive from distance elicited a smart stop from Akinfeev, that represented a rare Wolfsburg foray into opposition terrritory as CSKA pushed forward in numbers in search of the opener.
With the crowd willing their team on, a moment of brilliance from Dzagoev almost broke the deadlock. The winger's clever dragback set up Zoran Tošić, whose left-footed strike crashed off the upright with Benaglio rooted to the spot.
However, against the run of play, Wolfsburg took the lead, with Akinfeev left red-faced and beating the turf in frustration after diverting in Schürrle's effort. The erstwhile Chelsea player sealed the points late on, dispatching Sebastian Jung's cutback from the byline in off the outstretched left boot of the unfortunate Akinfeev.
Reaction
Leonid Slutski, CSKA coach
It was a very humiliating defeat. In the second half we had a big advantage – we had several chances to score when it was 0-0 and 1-0. That was probably our best period of play in the Champions League [this season], but unfortunately it wasn't enough. Perhaps the fact we can't qualify for the knockout stage for the third successive year indicates our level is below the clubs that do get through.
Dieter Hecking, Wolfsburg coach
We controlled the game well in the first half. We were aware that CSKA would try to attack more. When Tosić hit the woodwork we got lucky. We knew CSKA would have space, therefore I put Schürrle on in the second half and it worked. I criticised Schürrle but he listened to the criticism – he did well when he came on. We played well in defence and were able to express ourselves effectively in attack.