Lokomotiv's First Training Camp - Review

Lokomotiv kicked-off their preperations for the upcoming 2010 season by condcuting their first training camp at Cornelia Resort in Belek, Antalya, Turkey. The Lokomotiv contingent left Moscow for Antalya on the 11th of January and returned back to Moscow 13 days later, on the 24th. The contingent was made up of the staff of both the main and youth squad and the 29 and the 27 players which make the main and youth squad respectively.

The 29 players of the main squad were:

Goalkeepers: Guilherme, Marek Cech & Eugene Bodanov

Defenders: Rodolfo, Malkhaz Asatiani, Renat Yanbaev, Oleg Kuzmin, Dmitry Sennikov, Marco Basha, Ruslan Kambolov, Taras Burlak, Maxim Belyaev, Kirill Pavlov, Sergey Efimov & Milan Milanovic

Midfielders: Dmitry Torbinsky, Denis Glushakov, Alan Gatagov, Tomislav Dujmović, Charles, Vladislav Ignatiev, Dmitry Tarasov, Igor Smolnikov, Roman Kontsedalov, Alan Chochiev & Andrey Kuznetsov

Strikers: Dmitry Sychev, Alexandr Minchenkov, Dmitry Poloz.

Soon joined Dramane Traore & Alexandr Cherevko. Unfortunately Wágner wasn't able to take any part in the training camp as he was out injured. Actually he will only be able to join Lokomotiv in their next training to be held in Spain. Meanwhile African duo Peter Odemwingie and Haminu Dramani couldn't join in as they were taking part in the African Nations Cup.

During the training camp Lokomotiv played 6 friendly matches in which they won three, drew two and lost one, scoring 9 goals and letting in 7 in the process. The matches played were:

1. Lokomotiv vs Rot-Weiss (Germany) : 1 - 3 (Dmitry Poloz, 23)

2. Lokomotiv vs Dnipro (Ukraine) : 2 - 0 (Dmitry Sychev, 44; Alexandr Cherevko, 86)

3. Lokomotiv vs Gyeongnam FC (South Korea) : 3 - 1 (Dramane Traore, 17; Kirill Pavlov, 44 [p]; Dmitry Poloz, 81)

4. Lokomotiv vs Tom (Russia): 0 - 2

5. Lokomotiv vs SV Mattersburg (Austria): 0 - 0

6. Lokomotiv vs Luch-Energiya (Russia) : 3 - 1 (Dramane Traore, 13 & 47; Alexandr Minchenkov, 59)

* Goals can be seen by clicking on the match *

Lokomotiv terminate Mudjiri's contract

Today Lokomotiv officially announced that they terminated with immediate effect their ties with the Georgian midfielder, Davit Mudjiri. According to the official website the reason for such termination was the violation of a clause inserted in his contract. Actually Naumov later added that the reason of his dismissal was the fact that Mudjiri didn't showed up for training on December 28 as the contract outlined. The President added that this didn't applied only to the 32 year old midfielder but also to those players who left on a holiday on the 4th December, that is another 11 players. These players were obliged to show up for training 24 days later. Eventually while the other players showed up, Mudjiri didn't. Mudjiri just showed up on 8 January. Mr. Nikolai added that it is true that it's is questionable why the management took so long before taking any action but he claimed that this was all due to the management's decision to give the Georgian time to give his reasons for his no-show. The president added that no explanations arrived from the player and thus Lokomotiv, after looking at the relevant legal procedures terminated his contract (all this happened in one month). He insisted that contrary to Mudjiri's claims, the player wasn't fired 5 days before he started training.

Naumov rebuffed Mudjiri's claims that he (Mudjiri) will sue Lokomotiv by stating that Lokomotiv have a right to demand a compensation from the player for the breach of his contract. This for sure acted as a counter action for Davit's declaration that he will be sueing Lokomotiv for reason that he found the reason for his sack ridiculous. Anyways only time will tell!

However I just really hope that the one saying the truth amongst them is Naumov. This because if Davit's claims are right, there will be the risk that this affair would tarnish the image of Lokomotiv Moscow.

Recall that the 26-capped Georgian joined Lokomotiv (in yet controversial circumstances) from Krylya Sovetov Samara in 2008. In two years, Davit wore the red-green shirt 28 times (23 times in the Premier Liga) and scored 5 goals (with only 2 coming in the Premier Liga). Anyways thanks for your service, goodluck for the future and I just hope that you are wrong.

One final point is that one positive thing resulting from this saga is that the number 10 freed by Davit's departure is now up for the grabs. What is my opinion? Give Wágner the sacred number 10 previously worn by our Loskov!! In the end Mudjiri never deserved to wear that sacred shirt....I'm sure that no Lokomotiv fan would disagree with me about that!

Baye Djiby Fall leaves on loan.

Today Lokomotiv officially announced the loan transfer of Senegalese striker Baye Djiby Fall to Norwegian Tippeligaen outfit Molde FK. The terms of the transfer imply that Fall will stay in Norway till mid-summer. Recall that Fall joined Lokomotiv from Danish club OB and last season participated in 12 matches, one of them being a fixture of the Russian Cup. Disappointingly Fall failed to replicate his OB form with the red-green shirt and failed to find the net on any occasion during his time at Lokomotiv. Still a good prospect for the future!

All the best Fall!!

Lokomotiv looking at Izmailov....

According to the latest reports emanating from Russia, Lokomotiv have made their former hero one of their top priorities. Marat Izmailov, who left Lokomotiv for Portugese outfit Sporting Lisbon in the summer of 2007 soon developed into an indespensable part of the capital club set-up. Actually the Portugese reluctancy to let their prized asset and crowd favourite could prove a stumbling block for a possible return of Izmailov.

Infact some days ago, Sporting officially announced on their website that they have rejected Lokomotiv's offer for the immediate transfer of Izmailov. According to some sources the transfer fee involved was reported to be 5.5 million euro, a 1 million euro more than Sporting paid Lokomotiv two years ago. Other reports also said that before Lokomotiv tabled an offer of 4.5 million which actually was also rejected.

According to fclokomotiv.com, Lokomotiv are still pursuing the Lokomotiv crowd favourite and actually Lokomotiv president Nikolai Naumov is planning to tabulate an offer close to 6 million. A factor that could make the transfer possible is Izmailov's willingness to leave the Portugese capital for the Russian one. Actually according to sovsport.ru, Izmailov wants to "come back home"! Another helping hand could be the very close relationship Izmailov enjoys with Yury Semin. Fingers crossed and let's hope for the best!!!! Lokomotiv needs you Izmailov!!!!

Ivanov and Durica leave Lokomotiv

Today Lokomotiv finalised the transfer of two of the players who joined Lokomotiv just a year ago. These are Moldova international midfielder Stanislav Ivanov and Slovakia international defender Jan Durica. The latter officially joined Bundesliga outfit Hannover 96 while the former is expected to join Russian Premier Liga club Rostov.

With regards to Durica, the terms of the agreement between Lokomotiv and Hannover stipulates that defender will stay at Hannover till summer. Moreover, both clubs agreed that if the player does well and impress the Hannover outfit, the German club has the right to make the move permament for a fee believed to be in a region of 3mln euros. Recall that last season Durica made just 10 appearances and with the World Cup looming, the versatile defender was eager to move on in order to boost his chances to make it to South Africa. Durica joined Lokomotiv from Saturn.

On the other hand, with regards to Ivanov, the midfielder is expected to join Rostov on a season loan deal. The player is expected to reach his new teamates in Turkey (the location where Rostov are undertaking their training camp) in the following days. Recall that Stanislav Ivanov spent the last half of the season at Krylya Sovetov Samara.

All the best for both of you!! Thanks for your service to the club!!