Baltika Kaliningrad head coach Andrey Talalaev offered his perspective on the thrilling Russian Cup Path of RPL final between Krasnodar and Dynamo Moscow. The match, held at the Ozon Arena in Krasnodar, ended in a goalless draw after regular time before Krasnodar secured a 6-5 victory in the penalty shootout.
Speaking on Match TV, Talalaev made a surprising admission about his rooting interest during the contest. "I was cheering for Krasnodar today," the experienced manager revealed, showing his support for the home side in the cup final.
While acknowledging that Krasnodar goalkeeper Stanislav Agkatsev played a crucial role in the shootout, Talalaev was careful not to single out any individual as the decisive factor. "Yes, Agkatsev helped the club, but I wouldn't call him the main hero," he explained, emphasizing the collective nature of the achievement.
The Baltika coach also had praise for the losing finalists, noting that Dynamo Moscow delivered a strong and cohesive performance throughout the match. At the same time, he recognized that Krasnodar managed to impose their own style of play during the encounter.
The match was officiated by referee Artem Chistyakov from Azov, who oversaw the tense penalty shootout that ultimately decided the contest.
With this victory, Krasnodar have now advanced to the Russian Cup Superfinal, where they will face Moscow's Spartak. The red-and-white side earned their place in the showpiece event by defeating CSKA Moscow 1-0 in the Russian Cup Path of Regions final just one day earlier.
The upcoming Superfinal between Spartak and Krasnodar promises to be an exciting clash, as both teams have demonstrated their cup credentials through hard-fought victories in their respective paths to the final.
Based on reporting from Чемпионат.com.
