Nothing to separate Trabzonspor and CSKA

Trabzonspor AŞ and PFC CSKA Moskva remain level on points in UEFA Champions League Group B and firmly in contention to qualify after playing out a goalless draw in Turkey.

Seydou Doumbia's two goals were instrumental to the Army Men's 3-0 win in the reverse fixture a fortnight ago but the striker, who had an early effort cleared off the line by Giray Kaçar, endured a frustrating night which culminated in his 74th-minute dismissal for a foul on fellow Ivorian Didier Zokora.

Not even the return from suspension of the prolific Burak Yılmaz could inspire the hosts to a victory − which they came close to snatching in added time when Arkadiusz Głowacki headed against a post − that would have lifted them above CSKA and into second place behind FC Internazionale Milano.

The visitors took control of the early stages and could have been a goal up as early as the second minute when Doumbia rounded goalkeeper Tolga Zengin; only Giray blocked his path to a fifth UEFA Champions League goal of the campaign. Soon after, the Trabzonspor No1 tipped over Vágner Love's dipping strike.

Burak, the scorer of 11 of Trabzonspor's 14 top-flight goals this term, was being closely monitored by the CSKA defence, whose offside trap caught the 26-year-old out on numerous occasions. He was not without opportunities of his own, though, having dragged a shot wide and directed a header off target before the break.

At the other end Doumbia was proving more menacing. The Ivory Coast forward was thwarted by a smart save by the outrushing Tolga in added time as CSKA finished the half strongly. Leonid Slutksi's team controlled much of the opening 45 minutes and when they began to gain the upper hand with their short passing after the interval, Şenol Güneş introduced Paulo Henrique and Alanzinho to provide Burak with some much-needed support.

The substitutions nearly paid off when Alanzinho intercepted possession in midfield, drove into the penalty area and forced Vladimir Gabulov into a low save. The raucous crowd's expectations were raised by Doumbia's departure for a second booking, ruling him out of the home game against LOSC Lille Métropole in three weeks, yet any hopes of a late push never really materialised.

Indeed, Tolga had to be alert to touch away a late Alan Dzagoev shot, though the Black Sea club came mightily close with the last attack as Głowacki saw his header from a Gustavo Colman corner strike the woodwork and deflect narrowly wide.