On March 16, 2010, Sevilla faced CSKA Moscow in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium in Seville. CSKA Moscow secured a 2-1 victory on the night, advancing to the quarter-finals with a 3-2 aggregate win, marking a historic achievement for the Russian club.
Key Statistics and Analysis
- Scoreline and Goal Timings:
- Sevilla: 1 (Diego Perotti 41′)
- CSKA Moscow: 2 (Tomáš Necid 39′, Keisuke Honda 55′)
- Possession:
- Sevilla dominated possession with 59%, while CSKA Moscow had 41%. Despite Sevilla’s control of the ball, CSKA’s effective counter-attacks and solid defensive play were crucial to their victory.
- Shots:
- Sevilla registered 17 shots, with 7 on target, reflecting their attempts to break down CSKA’s defense. CSKA Moscow had 11 shots, with 6 on target, showing their clinical finishing and ability to capitalize on their opportunities.
- Passing Accuracy:
- Sevilla had a passing accuracy of 84%, completing 485 passes out of 577 attempts. CSKA Moscow’s passing accuracy was lower at 74%, completing 248 passes out of 334 attempts. Sevilla’s ability to retain possession allowed them to dictate the pace, but CSKA’s direct play and efficiency in front of goal made the difference.
- Defensive Statistics:
- Sevilla made 18 tackles compared to CSKA Moscow’s 15, indicating their efforts to regain possession and push forward in attack. CSKA’s defense, led by Sergei Ignashevich and Aleksei Berezutski, was resolute, effectively dealing with Sevilla’s pressure, particularly in the second half.
- Set Pieces:
- CSKA Moscow opened the scoring with Tomáš Necid’s goal, finishing calmly after being played through by Keisuke Honda. Sevilla quickly responded with an equalizer from Diego Perotti, who tapped in a cross from Jesús Navas. The decisive goal came from Keisuke Honda, whose powerful free-kick from distance found the back of the net, with Sevilla’s goalkeeper Andrés Palop misjudging the flight of the ball.
- Individual Performances:
- Keisuke Honda was the standout player for CSKA Moscow, scoring the crucial second goal and assisting the first. His overall play and creativity were key factors in CSKA’s success. Tomáš Necid also played a significant role with his goal, while goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev made several important saves to preserve the lead. For Sevilla, Jesús Navas was one of the most dangerous players, constantly providing crosses and creating chances, but his efforts were not enough to overturn the deficit.
- Tactical Overview:
- Sevilla, under Manolo Jiménez, employed a 4-4-2 formation, focusing on attacking down the wings and using their possession to create chances. CSKA Moscow, managed by Leonid Slutsky, used a 4-2-3-1 formation, emphasizing a solid defensive structure and quick counter-attacks. CSKA’s tactics proved effective, allowing them to absorb Sevilla’s pressure and strike on the counter.
- Disciplinary:
- The match saw two yellow cards, one for each team: Sevilla’s Ivica Dragutinović and CSKA Moscow’s Sergei Ignashevich. These fouls were tactical, aimed at breaking up play and preventing dangerous attacks.
- Corners and Offsides:
- Sevilla won 7 corners compared to CSKA Moscow’s 3, reflecting their sustained pressure throughout the match. Sevilla were caught offside twice, while CSKA had one offside call, indicating Sevilla’s aggressive forward play and CSKA’s disciplined defensive line.
Summary
CSKA Moscow’s 2-1 victory over Sevilla at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium was a significant upset, sending the Russian side into the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League for the first time in their history. The match was closely contested, with Sevilla dominating possession and creating several chances, but CSKA Moscow’s clinical finishing and disciplined defense proved decisive.
Tomáš Necid opened the scoring for CSKA, but Sevilla responded quickly through Diego Perotti. The turning point came early in the second half when Keisuke Honda scored a spectacular free-kick from long range, which ultimately proved to be the match-winner. Despite Sevilla’s best efforts to find another equalizer, CSKA held firm, with Igor Akinfeev making crucial saves to secure the win.
This result marked a historic achievement for CSKA Moscow, who advanced to the Champions League quarter-finals, while Sevilla were left to reflect on missed opportunities and a failure to capitalize on their home advantage. The match is remembered for CSKA’s disciplined and efficient performance, as well as Honda’s memorable goal that sealed their place in the next round.
