Lokomotiv back to winning ways

After collecting just one point in the last two outings against Zenit and CSKA, yesterday Lokomotiv returned to winning ways with a 2-1 win over Tom Tomsk. Alhtough the score may suggest that it have been quite a closed match, this isn't true as Lokomotiv dominated much of the play and surely the margin should have been larger. Nevertheless a win is a win and credit much be given to the Lokomotiv attacking department as yesterday it functioned very well - actually, personally it was their best performance ever. For me, Aliev and Glushakov were the two who ran the show for Lokomotiv. While Aliev was at his usual best, with his pin-point passing and playmaking, Glushakov was industrious in the middle of the park. Apart of linking up well the defence with the attack, the Russian midfielder scored a real beauty - a reminiscence of his another beautiful goal against FC Moscow back when he still wore the number 58. Another outstanding performer was Maicon who tore Tom Tomsk defence apart with his agility and technique. One should also mention the improvement made by Sychev and Odemwingie, who actually produced their best performance of this season. Credit also to the defensive partnership who closed down the threat of Kornilenko very well.

As published in last post, Semin was unavailable to this match due to his one match-ban and thus his place was taken by his assistant Vladimir Maminov, who did a good job. For the first time this season, Lokomotiv's initial formation was left unchanged from last encounter, as the eleven who started last match, started against Tom Tomsk. This meant that there was no place for Dmitry Tarasov who was on the bench. Moreover Dmitry Torbinsky returned to the main squad and was also amongst the substitutes.

Back to the match chronicle - it was clear from way long before the match that the encounter against Tom Tomsk was never going to be an easy ride. Holding at bay teams such as Dynamo Moscow, Spartak Moscow and Zenit is no easy feat - nevertheless the Siberians done it. Actually Tom stood up to their reputation and within seconds Tom could have broke the deadlock. Poor decision making from Kornilenko saved the day for the Railwaymen. This was a sort of an alarming bell that we had to wake-up - to which Lokomotiv responded very well. As minutes passed by, Lokomotiv started to close up the whole Tom in their own half. Nevertheless the home team couldn't make the visiting keeper work as like previous matches, their final pass was lacking. Thus, Glushakov took the matters into his own hands and after picking the ball from the flank drove past three players and let an angled shot from the D which gave Pareiko absolutely no chance to arrive to it. Excellent finishing from the midfielder and what a goal!! Lokomotiv stadium erupted! Kharitonov, Tom's by far best player on pitch tried his luck to reply for the visitors but nevertheless it was the hosts that drew blood yet again. Sychev won the ball on the right flank and picked the incoming Aliev who after dribbling past a Tom defender drove the ball home to score his sixth goal of the campaign!! 2-0 was the score at half-time.

With both head coaches keeping faith in their respective eleven, Lokomotiv came out in the second half to put the match to bed. Actually within 2 minutes Sychev should have made them three as after some nice footwork from Maicon, the Russian forward found himself one-on-one with Pareiko and let a good shot to which the Estonian keeper was equal to. Minutes after Pareiko again denied Sychev with yet another good save. As minutes started to past by, the tempo of the game began to slow down, and actually Lokomotiv looked to sit at the back and operate on the counters. Actually soon the tiring Sychev was replaced by Dmitry Tarasov who in his few minutes on pitch shored Lokomotiv's midfield well. With the end approaching Tom looked out of ideas and still it was Lokomotiv that threatened - most notably Glushakov angled shot which the excellent Pareiko blocked down well. Nevertheless, an ingenuity from Guilherme gifted the Siberians a goal and a way back to the match. Fortunately there was no final drama as Lokomotiv held for an important victory which for sure ensure that the red-green will be going to Grozny on high morale. Video review of the match can be watched by clicking here.

Player Ratings

Guilherme - 5.5
Sometimes too much eager to rush out. Could have dealt Tom Tomsk's goal better

Kuzmin - 6

Good match from the fullback. Little culpable for the lack of communication with Guilherme

Asatiani - 7

Perfect match from the Georgian

Basha - 7

Classy performance from the Montenegrin. Sometimes came out with the ball very well.

Yanbaev - 6.5

Quiet evening for the Russian international.

Dujmovic - 6.5

Anchored the midfield very well.

Glushakov - 8.5

Ran relentlesly for the 90 minutes. His super goal was the icing on the cake of an excellent all around performance

Aliev - 8

Another inspiring performance from the Ukrainian. Scored what resulted to be an important goal.

Maicon - 8.5

A player likely to become a key player. Difficult to separate from Glushakov for the man of the match. Skillfull, with bags of energey, pacey, great work rate, good passing - what can you ask more from the lad?
Sychev - 7
True that failed at least one clear opportunity - but assisted Aliev for the second goal and gave the backline four no rest. It's only sharpness he's lacking as Pareiko should receive some credit as well for his block on Sychev. Other's drive similar chances to row Z.

Odemwingie - 6

Truly a mystery. Lacked the final pass but undoubtedly the player has the potential - truly don't know what's keeping him back....

Substitutes

Tarasov - 6.5

Was introduced to shore up the midfield and that's what he did

Torbinsky - N/A

Introduced very late in the game

Traore - N/A

Same as above.