Derby outcome? I don't care!

Lokomotiv keep preparing for the fixture against Terek scheduled for Gameweek 5 of the Russian Championship.

Today’s training session at Bakhovka was full of entertaining drills. In the first part fitness coach Andrey Dmitriev set up a merry contest. He divided the players into five groups. One of the tasks was to pass the ball down the line faster than your opponents – take a look at the hilarious pics in the photo gallery! Easy as it looks, it’s not just some dynamic warm-up: it stimulates positive attitude.

Rifat Zhemaletdinov, one of the three Euro U-19 heroes, could be spotted at the pitch. Igor Cherevchenko is trying him as a midfielder with the main team now. In the last few months the number of junior players on the main squad has grown.

Without looking too far into the future, we expect defender Jan Durica back soon. At present he is getting fit.

The team took time to discuss this gameweek's derby between Spartak and CSKA. Some viewed it as another top game, while for others it was a clash of the rivals.

- I will definitely watch the game, - said Dmitriy Tarasov. – Who will win? I do not care about the outcome so much. There are other important things. I hope, we are good enough to attract fans back to the stands, and that on Sunday they will turn out in force – even more than last time.

Fullback Roman Shishkin commented on the forthcoming match:

- I think we're on a roll. But Terek has never been an easy nut to crack, even when the team is not particularly successful. I can see many worthy footballers on the squad. For example, the duo of Oleg Ivanov and Mauricio, who have been playing together for quite some time already.