The missed opportunity will likely haunt Krasnodar for a long time. With the score tied at 1-1 late in the match against Dynamo Moscow, Juan Boselli had the chance to secure a win for his team. No one was obstructing his shot.
But it turned out not to be a goal.
The situation unfolded perfectly for Boselli. In one swift move, the attack transitioned into a counterattack.
Boselli avoided a last-ditch foul.
He had plenty of time and space.
But Andrey Lunev saved with his foot.
“I was waiting for him to take a long touch,” Lunev admitted after the match on Match TV. “He ran from the center of the field, of course. It’s a goalkeeper’s nuance, those moments. Maybe I was too far out… I was afraid he might chip it—he’s a technical player, and the distance was good for that. But he chose this way, and I tried to cover as much space as possible. I guess I was lucky—I managed it.”
It’s easy to understand Murad Musayev’s frustration after the Dynamo goalkeeper made the save.
Shortly after, Dynamo forward Ivan Sergeyev scored the third goal of the match instead of Boselli, handing the win to the Moscow side.
Krasnodar dropped to second place before the final round. Stanislav Agkatsev was devastated.
Nikita Krivtsov was also crushed.
All that remains is to stare into the void.
Now, Zenit needs just one point against an unmotivated Rostov in the last round to secure the title. Murad Musayev knows this well, even if he doesn’t have the table in front of him at that exact moment.
So, what now for Boselli?
What does Zenit need to become champions? They are closer than ever after Krasnodar’s defeat.
Andrey Lunev, Murad Musayev, Krasnodar, Juan Manuel Boselli, Dynamo Moscow, Russian Premier League.