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Arena Khimki – CSKA Moscow’s fortress

By on October 21, 2014

Something just doesn’t sit exactly right with the results in Champions League Group D. Today, CSKA Moscow earned a point against Manchester City with a late comeback, while Bayern Munich crushed Roma 7-1 in a dominant performance. The odd part? In the the previous week of the group stages, Moscow were narrowly defeated by Bayern, but the week before thrashed 5-1 by Roma. Somehow, Roma thrashed Moscow but were upended by Bayern, and in turn Moscow… narrowly lost to the German champions and drew Man City? The only different between Moscow’s meetings with Roma and those with Bayern and City was the simple fact that in the latter matches they played at home, and against Roma, away.

This home advantage for Moscow lives in the Russian Premier League as well. In their last home league match they beat forth place Kuban Kransnodar 6-0, a stark contrast to their last away outing, in which they struggled in a 4-3 win over Ural, who are currently in a relegation play-off position. Their home advantage at the Arena Khimki hasn’t always been as prominent, but it certainly exists to a large extent. Even today they faced City behind closed doors, but sill managed a draw at home.

Last season, when they were also drawn in a group with City and Bayern, their only points came at home, and kept the two major powers contained, at least more so than when they were the visitors.

There are multiple reasons for this. Obviously, their fan-base is a factor. One so aggressive that they played behind closed doors today due to racist chants occasionally heard from their home fans. Aside from that, though, it is most certainly their location. When on the road, they have to fly much further than most other clubs. Thus, it means less away support, more climate changes, and a lot more travel to deal with. When at home, it is their opposition making the long trip up North. It may not be a fortress, but CSKA Moscow are underrated when at home.

About Alex Morgan

Alex Morgan, founder of Football Every Day, lives and breaths football from the West Coast of the United States in California. Aside from founding Football Every Day in January of 2013, Alex has also launched his own journalism career and hopes to help others do the same with FBED. He covers the San Jose Earthquakes as a beat reporter for QuakesTalk.com and his work has also been featured in the BBC's Match of the Day Magazine.