Lokomotiv stumble against Rubin

For the 5th time in succession, Lokomotiv failed to register a win in their opening match. Although performing better than their opponents, the current Russian champions, for much of the match, Lokomotiv failed to deliver and eventually slumped to what I believe to be an undeserved defeat. Another important factor to pinpoint out is the pitch, which resembled more a potato field rather than a football pitch. Although it is true that the pitch made ball control difficult for both set of players, I believe that the state of the pitch have hurted more Lokomotiv than Rubin given that the red-green play ball to ground, flowing football. Anyways it is useless to moan about the state of the pitch or everything else as the result is two zero to Rubin. The backline also have to share responsibility as their lapses of concentration presented Rubin their chances, on which they capulated. In simple words they were effective, unlike us. Credit to them.

(The picture below shows the state of the pitch...)

On of the positives which we can take from the match is the new partnership of Dujmovic and Tarasov, who if they be consistent I believe that they could play a major role for success. Obviously the most disappointing player was Peter Odemwingie who amazingly failed to dribble past one player on any occasion. Its true that the pitch is disastrous but Rubin's Kasaev was playing on the same pitch. Truly disappointing.

As expected, Semin sticked to his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation. Guilherme kept his place between the sticks while Asatiani and the ageing Sennikov partnershiped each other at the centre. Kuzmin and Yanbaev played on the flanks. As aforementioned Dujmovic and Tarasov anchored the midfield while Odewingie, the debutant Aliev and Sychev assisted Malian striker Traore in attack. There was no debuts for Ilic and Maicon as although they were called to the bench they weren't introduced in the pitch from Semin. Actually the only substitution executed by Semin was the introduction of Denis Glushakov who replaced Odemwingie.

With regards to the match, the level of football played in the first half left a lot to be desired. Chances resulted to be very hard to come by and actually there were few shots on goal. Rubin Kazan were the first to threaten. The homeside were awarded a freekick in the centre of the park which Noboa delivered into the box. The ball evaded everyone and ended into the net, but rightly the the goal was ruled out for a foul on Guilherme. Lokomotiv responded immediately as Traore took advantage from Orekhov's error and shot at goal. Ryzhikov was equal to it. Some minutes after, a mix-up between Kuzmin and Guilherme presented Rubin an opportunity to score, which fortunately the homeside didn't take as Asatiani backtracked and with a last ditch tackle cleared the danger. This was eventually the last action of the first half as the ref sent both set of players to the dressing rooms with the score being nil-nil.

In the second half Lokomotiv came out a little bit aggressive than the first half and eventually the visitors were the first to threaten. Sychev brillantly played Traore through, and from a quite angled position the effort of the latter was cleared by Ryzhikov in a somewhat fortuitous stop. The former-Lokomotiv keeper was called agian into action as Aliev let a thunder-freekick. The keeper failed to handle the ball and spilled the ball into the path of Odemwingie. Ryzhikov made amends for his earlier mistake and closed well on the Nigerian. As the match went on Lokomotiv found their rythym and started to built some good moves, which however lacked the end product. In a bid to improve the attack, Semin put on Glushakov in the place of the ineffective Odemwingie. With three minutes remaining and a stalemate the most probable, Rubin drew first blood. Gorbanets, who took the place of Kasaev some minutes earlier, received the ball from Noboa, cut inside and let in a grounded shot which ended up into the net, hitting the upright on it's way in. Guilherme should have been a little better positioned. Lokomotiv tried to reply and snatch the deserving goal of the draw but with the back exposed, Rubin scored the second adn settled the match. The goal came through Bukharov, who deposited into an open net after being assisted by new Rubin signing Tekke Fatih. Two-zero was the final score.

Player Ratings:

Guilherme - 6

A little culpable for the opening goal as he may have been a little better positioned. Nothing to do with the second. Excelled in air.

Kuzmin - 6

Closed Karadeniz well. Gave Rubin an half-chance after a mix-up with Guilherme

Asatiani - 7

A collossus at the back. Saved a nearly certain goal and was outstanding throughout all match.

Sennikov - 5.5

He maybe experienced but his lack of pace was exposed on certain occasions

Yanbaev - 5.5

Could have closed down better Gorbanets. Failed to make trademark runs he used to do last year, could be excused by the poor state of the pitch

Dujmovic - 6.5

Played very well and won countless balls. Sprayed the ball well.

Tarasov - 7

An encouraging debut from the tall midfielder. As his partner won many balls and was a machine at the centre of the park

Odemwingie - 5

Really poor. Didn't get past the left back on any occasion.

Aliev - 6

Slightly more was expected from him. However distributed the set-pieces well.

Sychev - 6

Put Traore through, but clearly his place is not on the flank.

Traore - 6.5

Used his body well to protect the ball. Even though he failed to replicate the pre-season form, he troubled Rubin's back four. Encouraging showing.

Substitutions

Glushakov - N/A

Little time to impress.