Missed chances for Real

Prior to Real Madrid’s 1-1 draw with CSKA Moscow, Jose Mourinho advised his players that there would be no excuses for a poor performance in regard to the elements that would await them at Luzhniki Stadium.

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Match highlights: CSKA Moscow 1, Real Madrid 1 | Napoli 3, Cheslea 1

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“The grass and the temperature will be tough to deal with. These are new conditions for us, but mentality and ambition are stronger than all those factors,” the Portuguese said in the build-up to Tuesday’s Champions League tilt.

But the self-pro claimed Special One also made it a point to mention that his squad would not take their opponents too lightly: "They should be respected. We will not kid around against them and we will give our all in the match.”

Lassana Diarra and Angel di Maria both missed the match through injury, however the starting eleven did boast Xabi Alonso and Sami Khedira in a midfield partnership, with Jose Callejon, Mesut Ozil and Cristiano Ronaldo in support of lone striker Karim Benzema up front -- although the Frenchman picked up an injury and was replaced by Gonzalo Higuain early on.

Depth is always important, as is the ability to read the match and adapt accordingly. But when your weapons misfire and squander chances, Mourinho becomes a master of the art of deflection.

The weather conditions were a chilling -10 C in Moscow. A lot was being made of the elements, but CSKA Moscow was dealing with a far greater dilemma: having to start their third-choice keeper Sergei Chepchugov against the Spanish leaders. The club was unable to renegotiate a loan deal with Anzhi Makhachkala to retain the services of Vladimir Gabulov, and Igor Akinfeev continues through a lengthy spell on the sideline after tearing knee ligaments in late August. But what was supposed to be the obvious negative turned out to be the biggest positive for the Armeytsy.

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Play of the day: Wernbloom's goal for CSKA

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CSKA manager Leonid Slutsky talked beforehand about the uphill battle his team would face: "In theory, yes. It is clear that we will be playing our first game after the break, and that Real have been playing match after match and are full of confidence.” Despite the team lacking proper match fitness and without the services of key first-team players, CSKA found a way to adapt and overcome.

As expected Madrid took a little time to get used to the environment, and CSKA controlled most of the ball possession in the opening minutes. Alan Dzagoev missed from close range after a great run by Georgi Mikhailovich Schennikov down the left flank, but that is where it ended offensively for the hosts in the first half. The visitors wrestled away control soon after. Higuain almost opened the scoring immediately after subbing on for Benzema, but Chepchugov came up huge with back-to-back saves to deny the Argentine and then Khedira on the rebound.

The pressure started to mount for the home side with Madrid slowly cranking up the heat, although CSKA did not do themselves any favours at the back. The problems defensively were evident from the start and became more obvious as the match wore on -- the opening goal by Ronaldo was a result of a team short of proper match fitness. Zoran Tosic might bear the brunt of the guilt for not dealing with Fabio Coentrao's cross properly, but it was a collection of errors that lead to the opening strike by Madrid.

CSKA continued their calamitous display at the back in the second half, with Madrid coming close to adding to their lead on numerous occasions. The long winter break has always caused Russian clubs’ difficulties in Europe, forcing them to quickly jump into an important fixture after playing a handful of warm-up matches to regain their form. Training can only take you to a certain point; cohesion is built through the constant grind of a professional season and you could clearly see which team has recently come out of hibernation. Their timing was completely off in aerial challenges and tackles, but CSKA continued to weather the storm. Ronaldo was in fine form, making great runs and setting up chances. He could have had at least a hat trick by the time the final whistle sounded.

For all the shortcomings on the defensive side of the ball by their opponents, Madrid failed to capitalize on the offensive end and could have put the match to bed long before it ended up costing them the victory. Iker Casillas was barely tested in the Madrid goal. Lone front-man Seydou Doumbia was not being supported properly and had to make suicide runs while being outnumbered by white shirts in every direction. When a chance did finally present itself, Ahmed Musa spoiled the opportunity with a weak shot that Casillas easily collected. Doumbia was clear through on the left had he lifted his head.

Slutsky has to be impressed with the performance of his third-choice keeper; Chepchugov had a great night and came up big a couple of times to keep a positive result within grasp. He was the difference in the final score-line, the save on Ronaldo close to the end helped spurn his team on for the eventual equalizer at the death. The Portuguese marksman had another chance to end the match but again failed to find the net, pulling his shot wide of the post.

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Just look at the results from last week in St. Petersburg and you get the picture of the importance of having your number one in goal. Even if Akinfeev was between the posts Tuesday, it would not have changed the result. Chepchugov was the best player on the pitch for CSKA, displaying quick reflexes in making the right decision when coming off his line.

A debut goal by Pontus Wernbloom deep into injury time gave CSKA a glimmer of hope for the return leg at the Bernabeu. Mourinho watched his side squander plenty of opportunities and finally was made to pay for it in the end. You can blame the pitch or the weather, which will be what some of the Madrid-based media will point the finger at, but it was obvious los blancos have only themselves to blame for their inability to deal the decisive blow.

Mourinho said after the match: "Their goal was frustrating, but we earned a good result I'd be happy to have in every knockout tie in which we play the return leg at home.”

It is hard to argue with the logic, but the collapse at the end will bring with it some concern.

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Thomas Michalakos is a former associate producer with Sportsnet's Soccercentral and writes the weekly blog Soccerholic365. Follow Thomas on Twitter.