Generally snatching a draw at Terek is a pretty good result - winning is a bonus. Unfortunately today there was no bonus as Lokomotiv weren't able to get past a strong Terek side. Although Lokomotiv failed to bring home the three points, no one can say that the 0-0 draw is a bad result. Actually it is more the other way round. Playing at the Chechens is no easy task. Apart of having a good balanced squad, Terek boast of one of the most hostile stadiums around in Russia. Actually few are those teams that manage to win at Terek. Actually in the last two visits, Lokomotiv failed to record any point as they succumbed 2-1 on both occasions. Today, although Terek hit the post twice and had a goal rightly ruled off, Lokomotiv had their chances too. On some occasions actually it was the home keeper who saved the men in Green. As Lokomotiv are yet to start to be cohesive in attack, most chances came through shots from outside the box, particularly from Tarasov and Aliev. An important point to mention is Shamil Asildarov's lack of fair play. As his name starts, the guy must be aSHAMed of himself. The reason is because before the tall striker deposited the ball into open net from a rebound, the former Lokomotiv striker tried to score with his hand which eventually lead to the rebound. The striker SHOULD HAVE the decency not the celebrate!! Truly disgraceful act from Shamil!! Although at first the goal was validated by the referee, in a twist of events the referee then decided to rule out the goal. This all after huge protests from the Lokomotiv players - and rightly so!! Recall that if the goal had stood, it eventually would have decided the match.
With regards to tactics and formation, Semin, who returned back to match follwing his one-match suspension ringed the changes as Sychev was relegated to the bench in favour of defensive midfielder Dmitry Tarasov. Odemwingie was switched to the centre while Denis Glushakov filled the position on the right flank. Aliev played behind Odemwingie whil Dujmovic protected the backfour with Tarsov. Brazilian Maicon started on the left. At the back, Yanbaev and Kuzmin switched their positions, that is Yanbaev started on the right, while Kuzmin started on the left. Marko Basha and captain of the day Malkhaz Asatiani protected Guilherme at the centre.
The first minutes of the game were steady ones as both teams failed to built some attacks and much of the play was focused in the middile of the park. Eventually it took the best of 16 minutes to record the first shot on goal. Actually it was Aliev, who with his usual freekick troubled the home keeper Dikan. As minutes went by, Terek started to grow and actually started to share possesion, which in the opening periods was largely dominated by the visitors. Nevertheless, still it was Lokomotiv who were looking a little bit more adventorous in attack as for the first 30 minutes Guilhereme was a spectator. After that Tarasov brought out the best of Dikan with a long range drive, it was Terek that were unlucky to not go ahead. Georgiev broke down on the left and after he stormed into Loko's box, the Bulgarian midfielder crossed the ball to the centre. The cross was badly dealth by Lokomotiv rearguard and eventually the ball fell to Asildarov, who from just inches out could only find the post. Terek took courage and actually on the 34th minute Terek broke the deadlock through Asildarov. The home stadium bursted into celebrations - which eventually lasted only some seconds as the referee rightly reversed his first decision and disallowed the goal for a handball. This because, before depositing the ball into open net, the same striker diverted the ball intenionally towards Guilherme with his hand. Shameful act of play to say the least!! Remarkably the forward wasn't cautioned. Anyways, the were nothing more of note as the ref sent both teams to the dressing rooms with the score being 0-0.
The second half started as the first ended - that is with Terek having yet another goal rightly ruled out. A long drive was badly dealt by Guilherme, who by thus provided Asildarov with the rebound. Guilherme denied the tall striker yet again, but however the ball to Bracamonte who from close distance put the ball into open net - nonetheless the goal didn't stood as the referee whistled for an offside of Asildarov. As minutes went by, both sets of players looked very tired and actually a lot of mistakes started to be committed. Nothing of note apart of a good Dujmovic run and a Basha header happened as the ref whistled the final whistle. 0-0 the final score and the first clean sheet in 6 matches.
Player Ratings:
Guilherme - 7
Will be happy with his clean sheet. Great distribution.
Kuzmin - 6.5
Most of Terek's attacks came from his side.
Asatiani - 7
Strong as ever
Basha - 7
Was very composed on the day. Could have scored.
Yanbaev - 7
Dealt with Lakhiyalov's treat quite well.
Dujmovic - 7
Provided a strong presence in Loko's midfield
Tarasov- 6.5
All around performance from the Russian midfielder
Glushakov - 6.5
Played on the right and was little bit less influential than last match.
Aliev - 7
Initiated all Loko's attacks. Troubled Dikan on some occasions
Maicon - 7.5
Yet another good match from the Brazilian wizard. Strong on 1-1 and with bags of stamina. Was maybe little victimised by the referee.
Odemwingie - 6
Quite anonymous. Started well but faded as the game went on. Have to do better to impress any visiting Olympique Lyonnais scouts.
Substitutions
Smolnikov - N/A
Introduced late, very late.
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