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Dzagoev thrives in starring role
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Alan Dzagoev. Photo soccerland.ru
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Nineteen-year-old Alan Dzagoev has been showing a global
audience in the UEFA Champions League just what CSKA have known for years
- that he is blessed with extraordinary talent.
Name: Alan Dzagoev
Club: PFC CSKA Moskva
Debut: 26/04/08 v FC Luch-Energia Vladivostok (Russian Premier League)
Position: attacking midfielder
Nationality: Russian
Date of Birth: 17/06/90
Born and raised in Beslan, Dzagoev made his Russia debut aged 18 in October
2008 and has been showing a global audience in the UEFA Champions League
this season just what CSKA have known for years - that he is blessed with
extraordinary talent. His stunning finish from a tight angle over the
shoulder of Manchester United FC's Edwin van der Sar during the group
stage was the pick of the three goals he has scored so far in the competition
this term. His terrific technique, vision and passing, not to mention
blistering shot, are a major reason why CSKA will entertain Sevilla FC
with optimism high in the opening leg of their first knockout round tie
on 24 February.
Breakthrough game
PFC CSKA Moskva 4-3 FC Khimki
11/05/08 Russian Premier-League
Dzagoev joined CSKA from second division side FC Krylya Sovetov-SOK Dimitrovgrad
in December 2007 and quickly made an impression. Still just 17, he scored
once and set up two more in the 71 minutes he was on the pitch before
being substituted. "Brilliant debut," purred coach Valeri Gazzaev
after seeing the young starlet open his scoring account for the club with
a superb chip following a neat one-two with Vagner Love.
He says:
"It's my life. The only thing I do well is football. It is not like
a job; I always go out on the pitch to enjoy it. It will be always be
like that. I don't think I will ever have enough of football."
"It was my dream to score a goal in the Champions League. When we
came out for the match against Wolfsburg, my mission was to score a goal,
but above all to play well for the team, do my best to help my team and
contribute to a victory. Unfortunately we didn't win, but when I scored
my first goal against Wolfsburg, I felt the sensation that at last my
dream had come true!"
Dzagoev recalls his first UEFA Champions League goal in a 3-1 loss
at VfL Wolfsburg on Matchday 1
They say:
"Dzagoev is a very young player and one of the best Russian players
at the moment. He is 19 years old and has a great career and future ahead
of him. He is very talented with the ball and is improving as he gets
more experience. Hopefully he can go as far as possible and become a world-class
player."
CSKA winger Mark Gonzalez speaking to UEFA.com in February 2010
"Everybody got to know Dzagoev in 2008. Now if Alan underperforms
for any reason, everyone notices because he is one of CSKA's leaders."
CSKA head coach Leonid Slutski in November 2009
UEFA.com,
20 February 2010
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