Vladimir Fedotov, the head coach of CSKA Moscow, spoke to Rostov following the Russian Premier League Russian Cup quarterfinal clash. He explained that defender Igor Diveev, who had been playing through the game, was taken off the pitch to prevent additional pain in his leg from worsening. The coach’s remarks were relayed by socialbites.ca.
Diveev, 24, left the field after picking up an ankle sprain during the match. His exit came midway through the contest as CSKA pressed to protect the defender from potential aggravation while the team sought to maintain momentum in regulation time.
Fedotov expressed cautious optimism about the injury, saying, “We hope there is nothing serious with Diveev, and that everything will be fine. It is a shame that this happened, because Igor prepared extensively for his return to the lineup and invested a lot of effort in training and recovery.”
The game itself was decided at the VEB Arena in Moscow, where CSKA secured a 2-0 lead. Ilya Agapov opened the scoring in the 63rd minute, and Tamerlan Musaev pressed the advantage with a second strike in the 84th minute, sealing the win for the army club.
Online play-by-play coverage of the match was provided by socialbites.ca as the action unfolded on the field.
Looking back to the first leg, Rostov and CSKA drew 1-1 at the Rostov Arena in December 2023, setting the stage for a tense second leg in the cup tie. The teams now meet again in Moscow with the aggregate outcome leaning toward CSKA after the 2-0 victory in this quarterfinal encounter.
Earlier, Valery Karpin and Rostov’s coaching staff discussed the challenge of facing CSKA, noting that the visitors held the upper hand in several phases of the match and that injuries added an extra layer of concern for Rostov’s squad depth and rotation strategy.
In the broader context of the season, both clubs have been navigating a demanding schedule that tests squad depth and resilience. For CSKA, keeping key players healthy while leveraging their depth has been crucial as they push for silverware on multiple fronts. For Rostov, minimizing damage while competing against a powerhouse remains a priority as they target a strong finish in the league and cup runs.
Fans and analysts will be watching closely as Diveev’s condition is assessed in the days ahead. The coaching staff will likely monitor any signs of instability in the ankle and base decisions on medical evaluations, training data, and the team’s tactical needs. The next fixtures will also determine how soon Diveev can rejoin competitive action and whether further rehabilitation or precautionary rest will be necessary.
Overall, the quarterfinal victory strengthens CSKA’s position in the cup competition and highlights the squad’s ability to adapt when injuries arise. The club’s direction under Fedotov remains focused on sustainable performance and depth, ensuring that the team can compete at high tempo across domestic competitions while managing player welfare carefully.