Jan Holenda is still out so Starikov starts as the lone striker again. Mordovia is by far the worst team in the Russia Premier Liga this year. Game starts in a few moments for those interested. Stream EDIT: I lied, Holenda is starting too but Starikov keeps a starting spot. Playing behind Holenda th target forward.
Starikov wins the ball on the sideline but it's out for a throw. He complains to the ref (wonder if he knows any good Russian curse words).
Starikov was fouled right outside the box. Looked like a penalty was called but they changed it. The FK is low on the ground but is saved. Starikov has a few shots to put in the rebound but it's eventually cleared.
Starikov received the ball in the box with his back to goal but he must have tried to flick the ball or something because it went about 20 yards from him on his first touch. Rostov gets it back and Starikov gets it facing forward; he gets past one defender and moves the ball out wide well. Attack comes to nothing though. Rostov looks a bit uncomfortable with so much possession.
They're also very slow to get into the attack, as the commentator said. They were much faster on the counter against Anzhi.
Starikov sends it out wide to Holenda, who crosses it into the box but Starikov's first time shot is pretty weak and inaccurate. It's almost halftime 0-0.
Blatnik gives a long pass to the head of Holenda, who flicks it on to Starikov, who gets a tiny touch with his head and Kolachev ends up with the ball in the box going away from goal. He shields the ball and the Mordovia defender obviously pushes him. Kolachev maybe goes down too easily, but PK is called. Diakov the CB puts it in, 1-0, 2 minutes added.
Starikov hits the post! And he's subbed out for Kirichenko. Another hardworking but not very successful shift for Eugene.
Ya, he huffs and puffs a lot but not to much avail. I wonder how much he'll play when Sinama-Pongolle returns.
It's nice to see that Starikov is playing again. I think he can definitely contribute at this level. He's just a bit too athletically challenged imo, especially at lone striker. His old club use to play him at spot too for some reason.