As a wounded animal looking to hit back with violence, this afternoon Lokomotiv rose up to the occasion and looking to put black August behind them, the lads produced a resolute performance and eventually ran out 1-0 winners against 'now-all-over-title-challengers' CSKA Moscow. Amazing match!! Lokomotiv scored early in the match and thus many expected that Loko will eventually loose ground and let CSKA back in the game. However today this wasn't the case as rallied by captain-again Dmitry Loskov, Lokomotiv managed to hold on to a much needed result. The Loko backline, which was the target for much criticism in recent weeks produced a superb display, especially Marko Basha who literally nullified Vagner Love. Actually in a whole match Vagner Love didn't managed to shot a single shot at goal! Huge game by the Montenegrin & co! Praise should also go to Glushakov and Tarasov who hassled the CSKA engine room and close down every inch of their midfield. Credit should go also to Sychev who although lost his captainy he seemed little effected as he was in quite an inspiring form. Ultimately while credit should go the whole squad who admirably functioned as a true squad, it's a must that Yury Semin should be singled out. The way he mastered the match from start to finish showed that Semin was and is the best man for the job!! Credit should also go the home crowd who made this day even special with their non-stop support towards the hosts!! Beautiful day for Loko - now let's hope that the team build on this performance and challenge for at least an Europa League place!!
Looking to bounce back from heavy back-to-back defeats Semin shuffled his men and fielded a fluid 4-2-2-2 formation. Guilherme obvisouly started in goal while Basha teamed up with Malhaz Asatiani at the middle. On the other hand Yanbaev and Shishkin lined up on the flanks. Denis Glushakov and Dmitry Tarasov supported the backline while Loskov & Aliev were given the licence to connect the midfield with attack. Moreover Semin also moved Aliev even deeper and thus Loskov was more near to Sychev. Personally this was a good move as Aliev found more space to operate. In attack Maicon, in quite a far right position was suppose to assist Sychev in attack.
Looking for a boost, Lokomotiv came out looking for an early goal as soon as from the first kick of the game. Actually 2 minutes barely passed and Aliev troubled Akinfeev with a rocket from the middle of CSKA half. This looked to have encouraged Lokomotiv as everyone present at the stadium noticed that in the opening 10 minutes Lokomotiv functioned far better than they did in all August. One the quarter mark Lokomotiv had a goal righlty ruled out. Maicon picked up the boal on the right and from quite an acute angle he let off a sniper which was well neutralised by Akinfeev - however the ball fell to Sychev who in open net delivered home. Unfortunately for Lokomotiv at the moment Maicon shot Sychev was centimetres offside and thus the linesman made the right call. Moments later Loskov troubled Akinfeev as his long range effort whispered just over the crossbar. This teritorial advantage seemed to had galvanized Loko as although they were always alert for any CSKA counter-attack Loko managed to heap on some pressure on the vulnerable CSKA defenders. On 25 minutes Loko deservedly went ahead. Sychev insistence's earned Loko a corner which Aliev perfectly delivered towards Maicon who without even jumping bundled home. Lokomotiv stadium erupted while Guilherme was visibly ecstatic. Managing to go ahead Lokomotiv relented a bit and replaced their attacking intent with a more cautious approach. Eventually this lead to CSKA winning some territorial advantage - but that was all as the Loko backline, in particular Basha who alone literally wiped out the CSKA front men. One-nil was the score at the break.
The play restarted with CSKA visibly eager to create more than their counterparts. With regards to substitutions no managers made any. The fact that Semin haven't made a substitution at the break shows how Lokomotiv did well in the first 45 minutes. As aforementioned CSKA came out more adventorous and actually within 5 minutes Guilherme had to be on his toes to parry onto corner Tosic driving shot. Lokomotiv went even deeper and this let CSKA to win even more territory. Nevertheless this failed to yield any results as Glushakov and Tarasov anchored the midfield admirably. On the 69-th minute both the arch-nemesis had a one player sent off as following a high-foot tackle from Mark Gonzalez on Asatiani, the latter retalitated by throwing the ball towards the Chilean face. The diminutive winger replied by grabbing the Georgian from the throat. Obvisouly the ref was let with no other option than sending off both of them. To be sincere while obviously I didn't enjoyed Asatiani's moment of madness I must say that the sending off of Asatiani was a blessing in disguise. The reason was that as soon as Mark Gonzalez went on field just minutes earlier CSKA started to look more incisive in attack. So in poor words I was satisfied to see Asatiani off, as long as he went off with the Chilean as it eventually happened. True that Loko remained with 10 but so did CSKA and personally the threat was much lower with CSKA minus Gonzalez. With Loko then playing with just 3 defenders Semin wasted to time to introduce Durica in place of Aliev - quite surprising to say the least! But after thinking about it I thought that Semin did well. With Loko playing with ten men and CSKA in attack there was huge risk that Aliev will earn his fourth yellow card of the season which would mean a suspension. Good move. Although CSKA huffed and puffed at the end there was no way through the Loko defence and thus had to gave away a match which potentially crushed any title dreams. On the other hand, the question if this victory will recharge Loko is on. Let's hope so anyways!
Player Ratings:
Guilherme - 7
Spilled a ball or two but was monstrous in the air when CSKA started to pressurize the backline
Shishkin - 7
Solid in defence, cautious in attack.
Asatiani - 4
Without hesitation I would give him a higher rating for the reason aformentioned but a red card for unsportmanship conduct should never be awarded.
Basha - 8.5
Immense. Dealt with everything threw at him.
Yanbaev - 7
Nullified Sekou Oliseh and then Zoran Tosic quite well.
Tarasov - 8
Huge game from the former FC Moscow. Apart of one ball didn't put a wrong foot once!
Glushakov - 8
Full of energy. Looked confident and the crowd was absolutely delighted with one particular back-heeled-through-the-legs pass.
Aliev - 8
Full of running and Loko's engine. Troubled Akinfeev through several long range efforts and claimed an assist too.
Loskov - 8
It's amazing that he has 36 years. Captained the side on the day and showed his real leadership skills. Steadied the ship.
Sychev - 7.5
Gave his all. Lead the front line very well on the day.
Substitutes
Durica - 7
Ensured that Lokomotiv hold on to an important victory. A Basha- Durica could be interesting.
Gatagov - N/A
No time to impress but held the ball exceptionally
Ozdoev - N/A
Introduced to consume some seconds.
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