An epic match for a neutral match. A wonderful comeback for any Sibir fan and a disapointing result for a red-green fan like me. It's true that it's not something easy to win at Siberia but going two-nil up and letting their lead slip away and even going close to lose the match was unacceptable for us. Actually the match was a story of two tales. In the first half Lokomotiv well controlled the opponent and scored two goals in the process while in the second Sibir completly outplayed their more illustrious opponents. Actually Loko should be thankful to Guilherme as if it wasn't for him, Lokomotiv would have surely lost the match - by quite a large margin. Single-handedly he saved us on numerous times. Another bright point was Aliev's freekick brace. The first one was an amazing, breathtaking 40metre freekick. The swerve was simply beautiful. With regards to the second, Aliev was a bit lucky but nevertheless the goal stood. At the other end, Aliev's goal beauty was potentially cancelled out by yet another beauty. Molosh, a left back by trade picked up the ball and from 40 metre hammered the ball onto the net for the potential goal of the season. Amazing stuff in an amazing match. Pity that we weren't able to win the match. Still I cannot figure out how we drew this one. I mean, in the first half we were in total control and with two nil up Semin did the logic and replaced an attaking midfielder with a defensive midfielder to shore up the midfield. In his 45 minutes on pitch Dujmovic did anything else shoring up the midfield. A horror show!
Moreover, once again Lokomotiv were impotent in attack and actually after Sibir drew the match, Lokomotiv were unable to switch up a gear and threaten Kowalewski. I'm fearing that should we fail to sign a capable striker we would be an embarassment in the Europa League. Please wake up board!!
As from the initial minutes, both teams came out looking to pressurize their opponent -the middle of the park seemed inexistent. On the 12 minute mark, Loko came close to open the score through Smolnikov. Three minutes later Lokomotiv were awarded a freekick 40 metres out for a foul on Maicon. Obviously the usual Aliev stepped up and despite the huge distance, Aliev let off a perfect freekick which gave experienced Kowalewski no chance at all. The goal seemed to hit Sibir cold as they were unable to respond and Lokomotiv were by commanding the match. Sibir were locked down into their own half and Guilherme was never threatened. On the half hour mark, Lokomotiv or better Aliev, made them two. Another freekick - same position - same taker. The difference this time was Kowalewski as at first sight Aliev's freekick was going to be a routine save. Nevertheless Kowalewski made a mess of it and eventually let the ball jump infront of him and onto the net. Sibir were shocked while Lokomotiv thought that the match was all but over - and they were heavily wrong!
Looking to add more steel at the middle of the park, Semin replaced Torbinsky with Dujmovic. Unfortunately, Dujmovic added anything but steel. From the first seconds, it wasn't clear that this wasn't the Sibir of the first half. It was simply clear but inexplicably the red-green players didn't noticed such change in their opponents and they remained passive, even when Sibir clawed one back just minutes in the second half through their talismanic striker Medvedev. From then on, apart of Wagner's shot which hit the upright it was all Sibir. The hole at the middle of Lokomotiv's midfield and defence was absurd. With all respect to Sibir but come on, with the superiority that Lokomotiv enjoy in their squad, Lokomotiv should have been able either to close down match or to at least respond. With 20 minutes to go, unsurprisingly Sibir tied the match - and what a goal! Molosh picked up a ball some 40 metres from goal and unleased a left footed shot which gave Guilherme absolutely no chance. Sibir took courage and launched an attack after an attack - only to find a remarkable Guilherme in their way, who for sure together with Aliev should be the only two to be credited with the 2-2 draw. Credit must go to Sibir who for sure deserve a better position that they are currently at. All the best for the Europa League!
Player Ratings
Guilherme - 9
Single-handedly saved a point for Lokomotiv. Was let down by his defenders.
Smolnikov - 5.5
Strong going forward but suspicious when coming to defend.
Asatiani - 5.5
Played his side out of trouble on various times. Nevertheless should have won the header which eventually led to Sibir's goal
Rodolfo - 5.5
Couldn't deal with the second half Sibir's fury.
Yanbaev - 5.5
Not concise as usual.
Tarasov - 5
Strong in the first, very poor in the second.
Torbisnky - 6.5
Was a useful outlet in the first half. Replaced at half time due to injury.
Wagner -5.5
Quite anonymous. Should have scored
Aliev - 8.5
His first freekick was an absolute class - Pity that his teammates ruined his match with the abmyssal performance.
Maicon - 6
The only one who was able to pick himself and try to invent something when Loko starting to chase the game.
Sychev - 5.5
Same as Wagner.
Substitutions
Dujmovic - 4
Failed miserably in his mission.
Glushakov - N/A
No time to impress
Traore - N/A
No time to impress
Moreover, once again Lokomotiv were impotent in attack and actually after Sibir drew the match, Lokomotiv were unable to switch up a gear and threaten Kowalewski. I'm fearing that should we fail to sign a capable striker we would be an embarassment in the Europa League. Please wake up board!!
As from the initial minutes, both teams came out looking to pressurize their opponent -the middle of the park seemed inexistent. On the 12 minute mark, Loko came close to open the score through Smolnikov. Three minutes later Lokomotiv were awarded a freekick 40 metres out for a foul on Maicon. Obviously the usual Aliev stepped up and despite the huge distance, Aliev let off a perfect freekick which gave experienced Kowalewski no chance at all. The goal seemed to hit Sibir cold as they were unable to respond and Lokomotiv were by commanding the match. Sibir were locked down into their own half and Guilherme was never threatened. On the half hour mark, Lokomotiv or better Aliev, made them two. Another freekick - same position - same taker. The difference this time was Kowalewski as at first sight Aliev's freekick was going to be a routine save. Nevertheless Kowalewski made a mess of it and eventually let the ball jump infront of him and onto the net. Sibir were shocked while Lokomotiv thought that the match was all but over - and they were heavily wrong!
Looking to add more steel at the middle of the park, Semin replaced Torbinsky with Dujmovic. Unfortunately, Dujmovic added anything but steel. From the first seconds, it wasn't clear that this wasn't the Sibir of the first half. It was simply clear but inexplicably the red-green players didn't noticed such change in their opponents and they remained passive, even when Sibir clawed one back just minutes in the second half through their talismanic striker Medvedev. From then on, apart of Wagner's shot which hit the upright it was all Sibir. The hole at the middle of Lokomotiv's midfield and defence was absurd. With all respect to Sibir but come on, with the superiority that Lokomotiv enjoy in their squad, Lokomotiv should have been able either to close down match or to at least respond. With 20 minutes to go, unsurprisingly Sibir tied the match - and what a goal! Molosh picked up a ball some 40 metres from goal and unleased a left footed shot which gave Guilherme absolutely no chance. Sibir took courage and launched an attack after an attack - only to find a remarkable Guilherme in their way, who for sure together with Aliev should be the only two to be credited with the 2-2 draw. Credit must go to Sibir who for sure deserve a better position that they are currently at. All the best for the Europa League!
Player Ratings
Guilherme - 9
Single-handedly saved a point for Lokomotiv. Was let down by his defenders.
Smolnikov - 5.5
Strong going forward but suspicious when coming to defend.
Asatiani - 5.5
Played his side out of trouble on various times. Nevertheless should have won the header which eventually led to Sibir's goal
Rodolfo - 5.5
Couldn't deal with the second half Sibir's fury.
Yanbaev - 5.5
Not concise as usual.
Tarasov - 5
Strong in the first, very poor in the second.
Torbisnky - 6.5
Was a useful outlet in the first half. Replaced at half time due to injury.
Wagner -5.5
Quite anonymous. Should have scored
Aliev - 8.5
His first freekick was an absolute class - Pity that his teammates ruined his match with the abmyssal performance.
Maicon - 6
The only one who was able to pick himself and try to invent something when Loko starting to chase the game.
Sychev - 5.5
Same as Wagner.
Substitutions
Dujmovic - 4
Failed miserably in his mission.
Glushakov - N/A
No time to impress
Traore - N/A
No time to impress
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