Following the midweek shock, Lokomotiv did very well to bounce back and eventually record a rare convincing win. Playing in quite harsh conditions, with the temperature reaching 35'C in Moscow (that is + 5/10 in the stadium), Lokomotiv brought some joy to the home attendance by producing a solid performance, and eventually attaining some high points in the process - such as the clean sheet, continously overlapping fullbacks and a Wagner/Aliev impressive showing. Nevertheless, the icing on the cake was Sychev's two goals - which actually were his first goals in 12 matches!! Finally!! Nonetheless Sychev's return shall not mean that Lokomotiv abandon their search for a top-class striker - a striker whose different to Sychev, Odemwingie and Maicon, who surprisingly developed into a key player for Lokomotiv in just 3 months.
As from the first minute of the match, Lokomotiv came out searching for an important goal, a goal which will give them some much needed breath. 15 minutes in and Lokomotiv went ahead through...Aliev - anyways who else if not him. Lokomotiv were awarded a freekick some 25 yards out and as we became accustomed to, upstepped Aliev, who despite all the way out smashed the ball onto the bottom right corner - giving young keeper Mikhail Kerzhakov no chance at all. Alania were shocked and couldn't find a way out of defence and actually it took them 15 minutes to threaten Guilherme. Soon afterwards, at the other end Maicon gave the illusion of the goal as his crashing shot went just centimetres away of the upleft. Sychev was the next one to threaten but again was luckless. Finally, lady luck smiled on Sychev's face as with only seconds remaning to the half time, Sychev headed Aliev's corner home without even jumping. Sychev was ecstatic - who can blame him anyways. That was all as for the first period.
The second one continued the same way the first ended as Lokomotiv found the net yet again and made them 3. Again, Aliev delivered a low corner towards Tarasov, who shot straight onto Kerzhakov. Nevertheless the keeper wasn't able to handle the ball and the ball fell into the path of Sychev, who from quite an acute angle bundled home. Match over - nevertheless this was what Loko players thought as the level of concentration fell down significantly. First Tarasov nearly gave away a goal with a short pass and subsequently, on the hour mark, Smolnikov hacked down Chochiyev in the penalty area and gave Alania the opportunity to claw one back. Fortunately for Loko, Guilherme was equal to former Loko player Georgi Gabulov penalty. This was an alarming bell for Loko, as even thou with 3 up, Lokomotiv didnt stayed back and see out the last minutes but twice went close to make them 4 through Sychev and Maicon. The latter was the most ill-fated of the two as his effort from just 3 yards out smashed onto the crossbar. There was no room for more action and eventually the 3-0 was the final score - a score which enabled the railwaymen to climb to the 5th place.
As from the first minute of the match, Lokomotiv came out searching for an important goal, a goal which will give them some much needed breath. 15 minutes in and Lokomotiv went ahead through...Aliev - anyways who else if not him. Lokomotiv were awarded a freekick some 25 yards out and as we became accustomed to, upstepped Aliev, who despite all the way out smashed the ball onto the bottom right corner - giving young keeper Mikhail Kerzhakov no chance at all. Alania were shocked and couldn't find a way out of defence and actually it took them 15 minutes to threaten Guilherme. Soon afterwards, at the other end Maicon gave the illusion of the goal as his crashing shot went just centimetres away of the upleft. Sychev was the next one to threaten but again was luckless. Finally, lady luck smiled on Sychev's face as with only seconds remaning to the half time, Sychev headed Aliev's corner home without even jumping. Sychev was ecstatic - who can blame him anyways. That was all as for the first period.
The second one continued the same way the first ended as Lokomotiv found the net yet again and made them 3. Again, Aliev delivered a low corner towards Tarasov, who shot straight onto Kerzhakov. Nevertheless the keeper wasn't able to handle the ball and the ball fell into the path of Sychev, who from quite an acute angle bundled home. Match over - nevertheless this was what Loko players thought as the level of concentration fell down significantly. First Tarasov nearly gave away a goal with a short pass and subsequently, on the hour mark, Smolnikov hacked down Chochiyev in the penalty area and gave Alania the opportunity to claw one back. Fortunately for Loko, Guilherme was equal to former Loko player Georgi Gabulov penalty. This was an alarming bell for Loko, as even thou with 3 up, Lokomotiv didnt stayed back and see out the last minutes but twice went close to make them 4 through Sychev and Maicon. The latter was the most ill-fated of the two as his effort from just 3 yards out smashed onto the crossbar. There was no room for more action and eventually the 3-0 was the final score - a score which enabled the railwaymen to climb to the 5th place.
The match highlights can be viewed by clicking here.
Player Ratings
Guilherme - 7.5
A one-on-one and a penalty save. What more could you ask for?
Smolnikov - 6
Hacked Chochiyev down and gave Alania a potential way back to the match. Otherwise he was strong and was a good outlet in attack.
Asatiani - 6.5
Strong as usual
Rodolfo - 6.5
Same as his defensive partner
Yanbaev - 7
Terrorised Alania's right back whenever went forward. Defensively strong too.
Tarasov - 6.5
Marshalled the back four really well. Nevertheless his mishit pass could had worse consequences.
Torbinsky - 6.5
An all around performance from the aggresive midfielder
Aliev - 8
A goal and and an assist. Our new leader.
Wagner - 7
Partnered Aliev very well. In some moments his passing was eye catching.
Maicon - 7
His running was a constant menace for Alania's backfour.
Sychev - 8.5
Took his two goals very well. An amazing reply from a player who was constantly criticized in recent days.
Substitutions
Glushakov - N/A
Ozdoev - N/A
Burlak - N/A
Player Ratings
Guilherme - 7.5
A one-on-one and a penalty save. What more could you ask for?
Smolnikov - 6
Hacked Chochiyev down and gave Alania a potential way back to the match. Otherwise he was strong and was a good outlet in attack.
Asatiani - 6.5
Strong as usual
Rodolfo - 6.5
Same as his defensive partner
Yanbaev - 7
Terrorised Alania's right back whenever went forward. Defensively strong too.
Tarasov - 6.5
Marshalled the back four really well. Nevertheless his mishit pass could had worse consequences.
Torbinsky - 6.5
An all around performance from the aggresive midfielder
Aliev - 8
A goal and and an assist. Our new leader.
Wagner - 7
Partnered Aliev very well. In some moments his passing was eye catching.
Maicon - 7
His running was a constant menace for Alania's backfour.
Sychev - 8.5
Took his two goals very well. An amazing reply from a player who was constantly criticized in recent days.
Substitutions
Glushakov - N/A
Ozdoev - N/A
Burlak - N/A
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