Baltika and Krylia Sovetov shared the spoils in a Group Stage cup match that ended 0-0 after extra time before moving to penalties on Tuesday evening. The Group Stage - 3 fixture at the Baltika stadium produced a stalemate that neither side wanted, with both teams having chances but failing to find the net. By then the tension had built to a point where only spot-kicks could decide the winner.
The penalty shootout proved nerve-wracking for both sides. Krylia Sovetov's Ivan Lepskiy, Kazbek Mukailov, Thomas Galdames and Kirill Stolbov all converted, while Baltika's Mikhail Ryadno, Konstantin Shiltsov and Chinedu Geoffrey found the back of the net. Maksim Petrov missed for his side, a moment that could prove decisive in the tie.
Regular time had been a cagey affair with five yellow cards against Baltika compared to just one for the visitors. Eldar Ćivić and Stefan Kovač both received bookings before halftime changes brought Chinonso Offor off for Tenton Yenne and Ćivić himself. Fahd Moufi and Ilya Petrov joined the caution list in the second period, while Ivan Lepskiy and Brayan Gil went to the referee later on.
The statistics told a story of Baltika pressing forward without success. They registered seven shots on target against three for Krylia Sovetov, though their accuracy of 41 percent failed to produce a goal. Possession was evenly split at 48-52, and Baltika earned four corners to the visitors' three.
Both teams arrived in decent form, with Baltika having beaten Krylia Sovetov 2-0 just two weeks ago. The away side had drawn with Zenit and beaten Akron in their previous outings, while the hosts had secured a 3-0 victory over Rodina Moscow. And here's the thing — this cup result keeps both sides in contention, though neither managed to separate themselves on the pitch.
