Match Review: CSKA Moscow VS Real Madrid

Even before the match between CSKA Moscow and Real Madrid started we knew that Real Madrid would have to struggle to cope with the extremely cold weather in Russia. CSKA Moscow has had the advantage of playing in their home ground and they were supposed to cope with the cold weather better than their opponents. But we were stunned to see how Real Madrid coped with the situation. In fact, in the first half of the match they came forward with really dangerous moves and scored one goal also in the 28th minutes. From there on they moved forward with some other serious moves also. Even before Christiano Ronaldo scored the only goal for Real Madrid, the CSKA Moscow goalkeeper had to make some outstanding saves.

CSKA was supposed to give it a good fight. But their home record this season wasn't something that inspired them to go for a win. If we remember, they had to go to Inter Milan being in the 4th place. However, they dramatically won the match 2-1 and secured the second place in the group stage of the competition. So, they were not really comfortable in the first half. However, they managed to go foward with some positive moves but in vain. The majority of the time, the Real Madrid players dominated. Despite the fact that Real had to replace Karim Benzema due to a groin injury they were in full control.

However, in the second half of the match CSKA had some good chances to score goals. But they couldn't get the final result. Real Madrid always seemed to be scoring the second of the night. However, when it seemed that Real Madrid are going home with a spacious away victory then something happened that elated more than sixty thousand CSKA Moscow fans present in the Luzhniki Stadium. It was the first game for the Swedish midfileder Pontus Wernbloom of CSKA Moscow in the UEFA Champions League and he scored the vital goal for CSKA in the last minute of the three minute's stoppage time.

Despite the fact that Real Madrid had 100% success in this season's UEFA Champions League before the match started they couldn't make it far better with another away win. Despite the fact that CSKA Moscow had poor record in their home games they came away with a vital draw. And we all know that CSKA is enjoying better record in away matches than in home in Europe. So, anything can happen in the second leg of the match between Real Madrida and CSKA Moscow. Hope to watch an intriguing match in three weeks time. What's more, CSKA Moscow have never lost to a Spanish La Liga team in the UEFA Champions League. May we expect a surprise? Of course, we may.