PHOTO: AFP
Gareth Bale and Sergio Ramos were among a number of key players missing at the Luzhniki Stadium but it was Kroos' dreadful backpass that allowed Nikola Vlasic, on loan from Premier League Everton, to put CSKA ahead after just 68 seconds.
Madrid searched for an equaliser but, despite hitting the woodwork three times, were resisted by a determined CSKA defence. The reigning European champions have now failed to score in three consecutive matches.
Julen Lopetegui's side lacked spark, thrust and cutting edge in attack. They missed Bale, Isco and, perhaps even, the lethal touch of Cristiano Ronaldo.
"Goals come when you keep creating chances and believe you will be more accurate, that is all we can do. I am sure we will soon be scoring again and winning again," Lopetegui said.
We don't have technical quality: Mourinho
Jose Mourinho risked causing another rift with his Manchester United stars as he slammed his defence's lack of "technical quality" after their 0-0 draw with Valencia.
The frustrating Champions League clash at Old Trafford means Mourinho's side have gone four games without a win in all competitions.
United rarely looked like scoring against their out-of-form opponents and were booed off at full-time.
It was another blow for Mourinho, who has come under fire after presiding over United's worst since to a league season for 29 years.
"We don't have the technical quality to build from the back, the players tried. They raised the level of their intensity in spite of the fact we don't have many with that intensity,” Mourinho said.
Dybala scores hat-trick in Young Boys thrashing
Paulo Dybala scored a hat-trick as Juventus shrugged off the absence of superstar Cristiano Ronaldo with a 3-0 Champions League Group H win over ten-man Young Boys on Tuesday to stretch their winning streak to nine games in all competitions.
Suspended Portuguese forward Ronaldo watched from the stands after his red card during the Italian side's 2-0 win over Valencia in the first round of games.
But Dybala, who has been overshadowed since the arrival of Ronaldo from Real Madrid, ran riot in his first European appearance this season, volleying in the opener following a Leonardo Bonucci long ball after five minutes.
He doubled his account on 33 minutes when he picked up a rebound from a Blaise Matuidi shot, with Juan Cuadrado setting up the Argentine for his third on 69 minutes.
The Swiss champions played the final quarter of an hour a man down after Guinean centre-back Mohamed Ali Camara was sent off for a second yellow card provoked by Dybala.
"I wanted to have a game like this, obviously, a player always wants to play. Last season I had the opposite, as I started with a lot of goals and then lost my way a little,” said 24-year-old Dybala.
Juventus confirmed their 100 per cent record after nine games this season — seven league games and two in the Champions League.
"We were without Cristiano, and at times it is easier with him in the side, but we have to be a great team both with and without him," added the Argentine.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ