Lokomotiv record first away victory

At loooong last!! Finally, Lokomotiv managed to record a victory away from Lokomotiv Stadium!! While it's always better late then never we must say that no one would have expected that it will take 10 long matches before Lokomotiv won the whole 3 points away from Lokomtiv stadium. Lokomotiv, who practically dominated from start to finish have Loskov to thank for the three points as after wasting a chance after an another it waas evident that for once again the Lokomotiv Moscow strikers forgot their shooting boots at home. Lokomotiv, who were without underfire Dmitry Sychev, throughouly deserved such success as for much of the match they dictated the play and forced Saturn to find refuge in the hopeful-long passing game. Although in recent weeks the Lokomotiv rearguard have been harshly criticised for lacking concentration for the whole match, the four at the back in particular Marko Basha improved considerably and for the last 4 matches they have been particulary impressive. Credit must also go to Jan Durica, whose return have evidently improved considerably the red-green's backline. Nevertheless for sure the man of the moment is no one else the 36 year old Loskov, who for once again turned back the years and produced a man-of-the-match performance. Although it's true that he missed a glorious chance at the begining, Loskov was the one pulling the strings in the midfield and connecting midfield with attack. In my opinion, although Lokomotiv played particulary well, I'm of the belief that with Aliev in our midfield, Lokomotiv would have been able to record a more comfortable victory as for much of the match the Saturn's Ramenskoye defensive midfielders failed to close down Loko's midfield and thus Glushakov & co were able to try their luck from long range out - something which undoubtedly Aliev would have capitalised on.

As aforementioned both Sychev and Aliev were out from the encounter. While the latter was unavailable due to suspension, the former failed a fitness test and thus had to sit out completly the cruncher at Saturn Stadium. In addition, Yury Semin had to make without the services of Malkhaz Asatiani, who is still serving the suspension for his unsportmanship conduct against CSKA. Semin, who toyed with the idea of playing Marko Basha upfront in the absence of Sychev fielded a 4-2-3-1 formation. Guilherme started in goal while Shishkin, Bahsa, Durica and Yanbaev completed the backline. Tarasov and Glushakov protected the back four while Gatagov, Loskov and Wagner were instructed to assist the lonely Maicon in attack.

With Saturn looking to bounce back from the 6-1 reverse to Zenit and Lokomotiv looking to push for a place in the Europa League, both teams came out aggresively and looking to win the midfield battle. Lokomotiv started strongly and Maicon perhaps should have opened the score for the visitors but his attempt to lob over Kinsky went inches wide. Saturn nearly hit Lokomotiv as a cross from the right evaded everyone and the ball fell to Kirichenko, who practically in a penalty position failed to deliver home. The loss of concentration from the defenders in red & green in such moment of madness was particularly remarkable. Nevertheless this was the first and eventually the only moment which Saturn severally threatened Guilherme as from then on it was all Lokomotiv. 2 minutes after the quarter mark Denis Glushakov trimmed the upleft as his long range effort went just centimetres wide. Minutes later Gatagov was presented a wonderful opportunity to break the deadlock but despite being in a good position he shot straight onto the keeper. Lokomotiv, who evidently by now were taking the game to Saturn threatened again through a Dmitry Loskov's freekick which Kinsky, albeit with a difficulty, parried to a corner. Wagner was the next one to threaten but as the others had no luck, and thus wasteful Lokomotiv headed to the break with the score still goalless.

The second half started the way the first ended. Saturn boss Gordeev failed to arrange his team and thus Lokomotiv continued where they left in the first one. Nevertheless although Lokomotiv had a better share of possesion than in the first half, they couldn't get past a sturdy Saturn defence and thus had to settle to long range shot, in particular Glushakov who for the second time in the night gave the illusion of the goal. Gatagov, who was having a bad match spilled yet another perfect opportunity as his attempt to shot goalwards ended up in a farce as seconds before he striked he mistakenly his the ball with his other foot and thus another chance went begging. Semin immediately noted that Gatagov's confidence fell to the ground and thus replaced the youngster with the aggresive Torbinsky. Wagner and Glushakov tried their luck yet again from long range but still couldn't find a way past Kinsky. Nevertheless, with 5 minutes to go finally Lokomotiv broke the dreadlock. Basha, who have been playing in attack for a while by now controlled the ball on the left and after skimming through a Saturn defender played a pinpoint ball to Loskov, who in turn passed the ball to Maicon. With his back to the goal, Maicon played back the ball to Loskov who without thinking twice shot to the bottom left corner of the net. The red-green, in particular the fans were ecstatic. Loskov's dream return to Lokomotiv was now complete as it was only the goal that he was missing. With 5 minutes left, I was wary that the match was far from over. Nevertheless, the Lokomotiv rearguard held on well and thus Lokomotiv managed to record the first away victory of the season.

Player Ratings:

Guilherme - 6.5

Quiet evening for the big Brazilian

Shishkin - 6.5
Rarely troubled but his poor marking at the beginning of the match could have well costed his side.

Basha - 7.5

Yet another strong showing from the Montenegrin

Durica - 7

Same as his college
Yanbaev - 6
Tried to attack but wasn't effective as we are accustomed to.

Glushakov - 6.5

Tried several long range shots but was luckless in all of them.

Tarasov - 7

Together with Glushakov won the midfield battle and that won the match for Lokomotiv.

Wagner - 6

Several touches delighted the crowd but undoubtedly can do a lot better.

Loskov - 8

A man-of-the-match display. Rolled back the years and pulled the strings for the visitors.

Gatagov - 5

A match to forget for the youngster

Maicon - 6.5

Played out of position and perhaps should have scored early in the match.

Substitutes:
Torbinsky - 6

Tried to put his dissapointing form behind him. Unsurprisingly yellow carded too. Need to learn some discipline.

Rodolfo - N/A

No time to influence the match but made what required
Traore - N/A
Introduced to waste some time.