Lokomotiv improve to beat Terek Grozny

Yesterday Lokomotiv Stadium was the stage for the encounter between Lokomotiv Moscow and Terek Grozny. Although like Lokomotiv Terek Grozny often struggle when playing away from home, the fact that only one point separated the two prior to the match meant that the match was never going to be an easy ride for the red-green - and atually so it was. Although Lokomotiv started brightly and opened the score within the first two minutes through a penalty, the first period was merely a poor one for the Railwaymen as for much of the first period were second best to Terek. Credit to Terek who although it's a must to say that they scored the leveller in an illegal manner, they plucked up courage and locked down the hosts in their own half; Glushakov was visibly helpless against the fury of the 5 Terek midfielders, who literally swept aside Loko's midfield. Although Lokomotiv did managed to go ahead once again through Maicon and defend such slim lead till the half time it was clear that something had to change as Denis Glushakov couldn't cope on his own. Thus Semin introduced Dmitry Tarasov and the move paid dividends immediately as Tarasov bossed the midfield and helped Lokomotiv to improve and hold on for the eighth win of the season.

Despite welcoming back Wagner and Rodolfo from injuries both of them failed to make it to the initial line-up as the only change made from last week was the reinstatement of Maicon at the expense of Tarasov. Guilherme started in goal while all the back four kept their respective place and positions. Glushakov protected the back four while the Loskov and Aliev roamed around at the middle of the park. Gatagov and Maicon hugged the flanks while Sychev lead the front line.

As already said, Lokomotiv came out aggresively and within 180 seconds they were one-nil up as Lokomotiv were awarded a penalty for a penalty. Terek protested furiously but the decision rightly stood and up stepped Aliev who confidentially converted to set up Lokomotiv for a much needed victory. Minutes later Aliev threated again but as soon as Lokomotiv were looking to have settled down Terek drew the match. Shamil Asildarov lifted the ball over Loko's defence and onto the path of Mauricio, whose attempt to lob over Guilherme miserably failed as the Brazilian keeper did very well to stay on his feet and smother the ball - however, as Guilherme was falling to the ground with the ball grabbed in his hands, Mauricio bumped into Guilherme and managed to steal the ball from Guilherme's hand and shoot home. Lokomotiv protested furiously and although replays showed that Guilherme was right to protest the goal still stood. Buoyed by the goal, Terek poured forward in numbers and managed to lock down Lokomotiv in their own half. Nevertheless although Terek had the majority of possesion still they couldn't find a way past Guilherme and eventually against the run of play Lokomotiv regained the lead. Aliev inswinging corner found Maicon who without even jumping headed to the bottom right corner to score his third goal of the season. That was all in the first half as Terek went for the break ahead in ball possesion but trailing in score.

Semin tried to correct the hole at the middle of the park and introduced Dmitry Tarasov to partner Denis Glushakov at the expense of Alan Gatagov. On the other hand, Terek tried to increase some firepower upfront by putting on Hector Bracamonte in place of their goalscorer Mauricio. However such move hardly paid any dividends as Loko's defence dealt very well with any move that Terek tried and actually Guilherme was called only to make routine saves such as claiming balls in the air. Credit must go to Loko's midfield which unlike in the first half they closed down the opponents as soon as the opponents had the ball at their feet. Play became boring and apart of some pressure applied on our defence in the dying minutes Terek were hardly dangerous. On the other hand, with Lokomotiv looking to hold on their advantage rather than extending it limited themselves to put men into attack and threathened severily only once as Sychev's header brought out the best from Hazyur. That was all and although Lokomotiv maybe haven't recorded the win they were aiming for, considering the circumstances I believe that in the end it's the result that matter and Loko should be pleased with that as it enabled them to surpass the same Terek in the standings and still challenge for an Europa League slot.

Player Ratings:
Guilherme - 7

Illegally challenged for the goal. Inspired confidence

Shishkin - 6.5

Closed down his flank very well.
Basha - 7
Continued with his fine form. Composed and strong in air.
Durica - 6.5
Looked rusty in the opening minutes but improved as minutes went by.
Yanbaev - 7
Exchanged his attacking and defensive roles exceptionally.
Glushakov - 6.5
Was overrun in the first half but improved greatly in the second period.
Aliev - 7.5
Scored a penalty and assisted Maicon for the second.
Maicon - 7

Scored a header and troubled Terek's rearguard
Gatagov - 5.5
Started brightly but faded. Replaced at half-time.
Sychev - 6
Frustating night for the Russian International.

Substitutes
Tarasov - 7.5
Brought some much needed steel to Loko's midfield.
Wagner - N/A

No time to impress

Rodolfo - N/A
Introduced to waste time.