In football, we know the “blow of the ex”, the famous goal of the player against his former team.
Spartak Moscow tasted the "local blow", the goal of the player from the country.
Yuri Zhirkov spent two seasons away from Russia at Chelsea between 2009 and 2011, during which he was not spared from injuries.
But on October 19, 2010, on Matchday 3 of the Champions League group stage, his body was reliable.
Chelsea, the reigning English champion, calmly approached a trip to Moscow, a city where Zhirkov played ... for CSKA and Dynamo, before and after his exile in London.
He chose his moment well to score the only goal of his career with the Blues.
Zhirkov's goal against Spartak Moscow in 2010
On a long ball, the left midfielder took advantage of a bad return from the head of Nicolas Pareja.
Why think about it?
Zhirkov unleashed an overpowering half volley into the net from hapless Andrey Dikan.
“What a beauty,” exclaims the British commentator.
That's about all Chelsea fans will remember from Zhirkov's 49 appearances in their colors.
The Blues validated their success against Spartak with a goal from Nicolas Anelka shortly before halftime, but they will not win their long awaited Champions League until the following season.
Without Zhirkov.
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