First Home Victory

Lokomotiv have beaten Krasnodar in Gameweek 7 fixture of the Russian Championship and moved to the second place in the table.

This weekend featured the summer’s last days, the week’s top game, sunny weather, and a match full of promise – everything was just right to spend that Sunday at Cherkizovo arena. Zenit and Spartak lost in their games, so the Railwaymen were more than likely to secure the second place on the tournament table and leave the rivaling teams well behind.

The two sides began cautiously, carefully ‘testing’ each other. Lokomotiv were a bit more active and by the fifth minute had already created a few scoring opportunities. Krasnodar waited for their chance and it did come. In the very first counter Smolov found himself at a corner of the penalty area and tucked the ball inside the far post.

Lokomotiv had to pull back now but that’s something they know how to do too well. In just ten minutes Niasse broke into the Bulls’ penalty area, got the better of two defenders, fell down while struggling with the third one, yet somehow sneaked the ball past Dykan.

After half-time, the play got rougher. The referee flashed a few yellow cards, but did without ejections. Lokomotiv created more chances for themselves. First came Kasaev’s almost successful one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Moments on, Niasse just missed the ball coming off Samedov’s pass.

From the very beginning of the second half Loko pressed the visitors all the way back to their end. Tarasov shot at goal in a spectacular bicycle kick, but hit the post. Niasse took a straight shot at Dykan’s domain. Samedov, too, made an attempt. Our next goal was only a logical finish to the fantastic three minutes performed by the Railwaymen. Dykan parried Niasse’s ball, but Kasaev picked it up in the air and headed back home.

Krasnodar responded with occasional counter attacks. Corluka and Pejcinovic cut them short steadily. Wishing to increase the lead, Lokomotiv brought on Maicon. The action in the attacking third became even more heated. Towards the end of the game, the hosts could have netted their third goal but failed, the scoreline remained 2:1. Lokomotiv registered the first victory on home soil this season!

Russian Championship. Gameweek 7

Lokomotiv-Kransodar – 2:1 (1:1)
Goals scored: Smolov, 11 (0:1), Niasse 18 (1:1), Kasaev, 58 (2:1)

Lokomotiv: Guilherme, Denisov, Corluka, Shishkin, Pejcinovic, Tarasov, Ndinga (Mykhalyk, 46), Kasaev (Yanbaev), Samedov, Kolomeytsev, Niasse (Maicon, 72)
Krasnodar: Dykan, Petrov, Granqvist, Sigurðsson, Kaleshin, Gazinskiy (Ahmedov, 61), Strandberg, Mamayev, Laborde (Bystrov, 46), Smolov, Ari (Wanderson, 67)
Bookings: Laborde, 21. Tarasov, 30. Corluka, 33. Gazinskiy, 34. Strandberg, 39
Referee: Sergey Ivanov (Rostov-on-Don)
August 30. Moscow, Lokomotiv stadium