Lokomotiv overcome Spartak Nalchik

In the last match of the 24th round of the Russian Championship 2010, Lokomotiv Moscow welcomed Spartak Nalchik at the freezing Lokomotiv Stadium. With Lokomotiv just behind Spartak Nalchik in the standings and both vying for the last Europa League slot, the stage was set for an even encounter. Actually the match was closely fought and it was no surprise that the match was determined by a single goal. Fortunately it was Lokomotiv who came out on top from this tight affair. The star of the show was undoubtedly the goalscorer, Dmitry Sychev. The Russian international, who wasn't called up by Dick Advocaat for the double Russian encounter versus Ireland and Macedonia, made up for his earlier error and blasted the ball home from close, albeit angled position. Another good performers were Marko Basha and Jan Durica who mantained their fine form and kept Spartak Nalchik at bay. Lokomotiv also welcome back talisman Aliev from suspension and although he failed to further his personal tally, he troubled the opposition on a couple of times. On the other hand, although Lokomotiv managed to importantly take home the whole 3 points, I must point out that 1 or two players failed to perform. Unfortunataly Wagner was the main culprit as for the majority of the 45 minutes he stayed on pitch he was practically inexistent. Another major disappointment was Renat Yanbaev, who possibly could have been influenced by the rumoured interest from Zenit St. Petersburg. Anyways this isn't the first time that such thing happened as when Arsenal were following Yanbaev, the left-back's form sufferred.

As aforementiond Semin welcome back Aliev from suspension and for the first time this season, the people's coach decided to start both Aliev and Wagner from the first minute. In addition to these two, another one who was reintstalled to the starting line-up was Dmitry Torbinsky, who was given another chance to stake his claim for a regular place. Glushakov and captain Loskov completed the 5-men midfield while Dmitry Sychev returned from injury to replace the injured Maicon in attack. At the other end, the four at the back and Guilherme, who won a late fitness test mantained their place in the initial line-up.

With both mentors lining up a 4-5-1 formation, unsurprisingly the match started in composed manner. Clearly the counterparts were vreluctant to attack and risk the counter attack and thus much of the play in the opening minutes took place at the middle of the park. Eventually the spectators at the freezing stands had to wait the best 35 minutes to finally see a shot on goal. The first one to threaten was Torbinsky who from 35 yards out severily troubled Kolinko. Moments later Renat Yanbaev burst down from the left and after finding himself in acres of space in the oppositions box, the diminutive left-back tried his luck with a right foot effort to which Kolinko was equal to. That was all in the first half as the supporters could only for a better second half.

In order to spark some life into the team, Semin decided to withdraw the inexistent Wagner for the energetic Gatagov. The substitution seemed to have paid dividends almost immediataly as from the first moments Lokomotiv were clearly more lively than they were in the first half. Nevertheless still nothing materialised and just after the hour mark Semin played the Dramane Traore card. Immediately the match took a new dimension and within seconds Traore won the ball at the middle of the park and after advancing he played through Sychev, who one-on-one with the keeper he shot wide. Minutes later Aliev had a penalty call turned down and soon afterwards Traore tried his luck from an angled position with a left-footed daisycutter. When the home team were losing hope and Spartak looking more confident at the back, Sychev won the ball on the right flank and after turning well in the box he tried his luck from an angled position. His shot was charged down by an opponent but the ball fell once again into the path of Sychev who without thinking twice blasted home. Sychev was understandably ecstatic and more importantly Lokomotiv were leading in an encounter which could determine the whole season. This goal now allowed Loko to close down the opponents and hang out for the result. This opened up Nalchik and made them vulnerable for a possible counter-attack but Lokomotiv, although they had a chance or two, failed to put the match to bed. Actually it was Spartak Nalchik who nearly shocked the home crowd as in one of their last ditch efforts they managed to bundle the ball home only to be rightly ruled out for an offside. Lokomotiv took a sigh of relieve and with Semin introducing Rodolfo in order to help out in defence, the hosts did well to close down their opponents and record an important victory which allowed them to surpass the same Nalchik for the 5th place of the standings.

Player Ratings:
Guilherme - 7
Made two good saves. Reliable and king in the air. Inspired confidence.
Shishkin - 6.5
Not too adventorous but held his own very well.
Basha - 7
Another good performance from the Montenegrin. In one particular occasion he was perfect to read the game and break up a possible threatening counter.
Durica - 7
Strong in the air and confident in possesion.

Yanbaev - 5
Misplaced some passes and never got going.
Glushakov - 6.5
His style resembles very much the one of Maminov. Improving match by match

Loskov - 7

Rallied the troops.

Aliev - 6.5

Troubled Kolinko on a couple of times. Sprayed the ball around very well.
Wagner - 5
Inexistent
Torbinsky - 6
Threatened Kolinko with a long-range blow but clearly his place is not on the right flank.
Sychev - 7.5
Scored the all important goal.

Substitutes
Gatagov - 7
Fulfilled his task very well. Sparked the left flank.
Traore - 7
In my opinion, Lokomotiv would had never scored if Traore wasn't introduced. Gave Lokomotiv a new dimension.
Rodolfo - 6.5
Not much time on field but still influenced proceedings as he won invaluable seconds.