Hard-Fought Victory Over Samara
Lokomotiv won against Krylia Sovetov in the Russian Championship's Gameweek 9 match.
The Railwaymen started slightly reshuffled, compared to how they were lined up against Rubin and Sporting. Kasaev hit the ground running again having recovered from a minor injury. A spearhead's position up front was filled by Skuletic. Fernandes appeared in the first eleven for the second time in the row.
Both teams began at a moderate pace, Lokomotiv making lobbed passes at Skuletic while Krylia Sovetov were trying their luck with long shots. Skuletic did find the net closer to the half-time, but the linesman had already flagged for offside.
In the second half Lokomotiv increased pace, and the opener was not long coming. Following a spot kick by Kolomeytsev who sent the ball to the right corner, Corluka deflecting it home sweetly.
A minute later the Railwaymen could have doubled on Fernandes’ powerful shot taken within the area, but the ball hit the defenders. Our coaches made some replacements, fielding Miranchuk, Ndinga and then Niasse. The play became more intense, the Railroaders pressuring the visiting team back to their goal.
Later into the match, our subs proved effective. Playing a give-and-go with Miranchuk, Niasse easily took on two defenders and then put in a clinical finish. Within a mere minute Baye Oumar could have bagged a brace, but caught an opponent.
Lokomotiv came out victorious, remaining in the second place of the table, three points ahead of Zenit. Already in the next round the Railwaymen are listed to play against the tournament's top side CSKA.
But before that our squad is scheduled for an away match on Valeriy Karpin’s soil in Armavir. We will meet Torpedo in the round of 32 of the Russian Cup.
Russian Championship. Gameweek 9
Lokomotiv - Krylia Sovetov – 2:0 (0:0)
Goals scored: Corluka, 54 (1:0). Niasse, 87 (2:0)
Lokomotiv: Guilherme, Pejcinovic, Corluka, Denisov, Shishkin, Kasaev, Fernandes (Ndinga, 62), Kolomeytsev, Samedov, Tarasov (Miranchuk, 62), Skuletic (Niasse,74)
Krylia Sovetov: Konuhov, Tsallagov, Bateau (Rodich, 84), Taranov (Simaeys, 58), Nadson, Burlak, Pomerko, Gabulov, Dragun (Gorbatenko, 78), Kornillenko, Mollo
Bookings: Pomerko, 26. Tsallagov, 39. Simaeys, 77. Samedov, 92
Referee: Mikhail Vilkov (Nizhniy Novgorod)
September 20. Moscow, Lokomotiv stadium.