....because football isn't just a game and Lokomotiv isn't just a club....

....because football isn't just a game and Lokomotiv isn't just a club....

No words can describe my sadness right now. What is happening to our club? Have not won from mid-July and to make matters worse we are out from the Europa League, a competition which we have been craving for from the day we made it to it. It's obvious that the magical Champions League nights are all but a distant memory by now, but how the hell we can't make it past a Swiss second division club? Some blame Semin, others the players while there are other who suggest that the roots of this crisis is new president Olga Smorodskya -my opinion, blame our new president. While the fans feel lost and the players and coaches wondering what's happening, the old lady is busy striking out deals with Puma so as from next season we will be wearing Puma shirts instead of the adidas one. The only good news from this is that at least Lokomotiv will be there next season. This is because with such dismal peformances I'am starting to fearing that in a couple of years we may end like FC Moscow. Solely the thought bring shivers down my spine. Well, to say the truth the fans already started to decrease from the stands and coupled with the president's insistence that no new acquisitions will be made, I will be expecting Lokomotiv to make even worse and as a result more empty seats at the stadium. I read that she have a degree in economics but in no means this is a wise economic move. It's true that by abstaining from signing a player from the funds made available by the sale of two players may improve Loko's economic situation, but did the old lady took into the account the money that will be lost from gate revenue, merchandising, etc etc? Yeah, a degree in economics - give me a break.

Moreover I believe that it would be somewhat a crime to blame all the players for bowing out from the Europa League. This is because last Thursday apart of a player or two, the guys did their best and the improvement in their performance was more than evident. Apart of the fact that up front they were linking up quite well, at the back following the withdrawal of Asatiani, Lausanne rarely threatened. Credit must be given to Tarasov who after some dismal performances today he gave a huge performance as he won several balls, some of them difficult ones. Credit must also go to Torbinsky who in his familiar position on the left linked up well with Yanbaev to severely trouble the Swiss outfit right flank. Aliev was his usual self while Gatagov gave Lokomotiv the drive which they were sorely missing for the past weeks. Shishkin exchanged his defensive and attacking duties very well while Guilherme for sure cannot be blamed for the Swiss' goal. Traore and Sychev also moved particularly well but it's evident that they cannot finish anymore, especially the Malian striker who lost 2 clear chances. Moreover after Aliev drew the match for Lokomotiv, the Malian's first touch was often horrible as he started to give away the ball continuosly. So the question is, if Lokomotiv have signed a decent striker, would we have made it past Lausanne? Definatively yes. So in poor words, this is the reason why Olga is the one to blame. Personally she did all the calculations wrong. By not powering a move for a striker, Lokomotiv may have lost a fortune of 5 million euros between gate receipts, prize money, television revenue and others. Well done, very well done Olga. In addition Lokomotiv will continue to do badly for the rest of the season and should the situation doesn't improve, I am fearing that Semin may end up to loose his position. That would be catasthropic as everyone know that 50% of Loko's fans wouldn't come to the stadium if the "people's coach" will be sacked. Well, i'm starting to believe that this Olga doesn't know nothing about football. Shame on the board of directors who replaced the terrific Naumov with this joke.

With regards to the match, well there's not alot to be said. Practically Lokomotiv dominated from start to finish. Their goal came from Asatiani's lack of concentration as he let Silvio to power home with the minimum of efforts. From then on, taking into account Loko's difficult moment the match was always going to be an uphill. Although they managed to launch in an attack after another Loko's cutting edge was evident missing for once again. Eventually it took 85 mins for Loko to score - and well who else if not Aliev. Alhtough this encouraged a bit Lokomotiv, they failed to score in the next 35 minutes and thus the match proceeded to the lottery of penalties, which Lokomotiv unfortunately lost. Aliev, Sychev and Loskov all scored for Lokomotiv while Shishkin and Maicon missed for the home side. Lausanne managed to score 4 out of and thus the final P.K. result was 4-3. Congratulations to Lausanne and good luck. An even bigger good luck goes to our players who tomorrow will face Zenit. Good luck - you need it.

(I don't take penalties into account as they are just a lottery)

Player Ratings:

Guilherme - 6

A spectator all match. Nothing to do with the goal.

Shishkin - 7

Exchanged his attaking and defensive duties very well.

Basha - 6

Secure at the back

Rodolfo - 6

More or like as his college

Yanbaev - 7

Gave Lausanne's right back a torrid time today

Asatiani - 4

The main culprit - enough said.

Gatagov - 7.5

Drove Lokomotiv as a captain. Pity that his performance was marred by some poor decisions.

Torbinsky - 8
Showed some touches which delighted the crowd. I just hope that Semin take note and make sure to employ him on the left for the foreseeable future.

Aliev - 8.5

Scored the freekick and looked to inspire. Failed to but credit must go to a player who love his new club and fans more than half of the players which have been around for much lot than him.

Sychev - 6.5

Tried hard but all was in vain

Traore - 6

Did his best but clearly at this level his best iss not enough. Should have scored a goal or two.

Substitutes

Tarasov - 7.5

If only he started the match.....

Loskov - 7

Linked up well with Aliev. Sprayed the ball around very well

Maicon - 5.5

Tried but didn't managed anything notable. Headed over when he should have left the ball to Tarasov who was ready to poke home.