Lokomotiv succumb to Spartak

Second away match of the season and second defeat of the season. It's true that Spartak were a little bit lucky but actually they stole nothing from the match, even thou a draw would have been somewhat the fairest result. The only difference between the two was that unlike the visitors, Spartak took their chances. Early goals from Suchy and Ari made life difficult for Lokomotiv, who on the artificial turf failed to express themselves. Although Lokomotiv clawed one back through Aliev on the half-hour mark, the red-green failed to get past a sturdy defence and thus had to settle for a 2-1 loss - actually the closest we went was through a Aliev freekick at death end, which unforunately bounced onto the crossbar. Unlucky. Clearly, the best player on pitch for Lokomotiv was Renat Yanbaev who apart of assisting Aliev for the goal, completly terrorised Parshivlyuk at the back. On the other hand, for the third consecutive match, Tarasov ran the midfield again for Lokomotiv as he won countless balls - Amazing work rate.

For the match at Luzhniki against Spartak, Semin kept his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation. Guilherme started in goal while as we become accustomed to, Yanbaev and Kuzmin started on the left and right flank respectively. Basha returned from injury and partnered Asatiani at the back. Following his stellar display against Krylya, Charles kept his place alongside Tarasov at the expense of Dujmovic. Glushakov started his first match of the season on the right flank while Torbinsky change his wing to the left. Aliev assisted Sychev in attack.

Both teams started the match looking to win the midfield battle. Although Lokomotiv looked to have came out a slightly little more aggressive - neverthless it was Spartak who drew first blood. Spartak won a freekick which Alex delivered in. Guilherme, a little badly positioned managed to reach out the ball but parried onto the path of Suchy who instictively shot towards an open net. However Marko Basha managed to stop the ball, but unluckly for Lokomotiv Suchy was there again to pounce home. Unfortunately all this came after a Loko penalty call was turned down by referee Maxim Layushkin. Although Yanbaev was clearly tripped in the box, the ref decided against and let the play on. Barely 8 minutes have passed and Spartak doubled the lead. A poorly played offside trap allowed Ari to tap home from close range - no chance for Guilherme as Spartak fans went wild. Lokomotiv tried to pick up themselves and react. The first shot registered at Dzhanaev was Aliev's freekick which went inches wide. On the half-hour mark Lokomotiv re-opened the match. Yanbaev accelerated down the left and after getting past Sabitov and Parshivlyuk, the left-back laid a perfect ball to Aliev, from which the latter crashed the ball to the top left corner. Game on!! As both teams tussled for every inch, there were no more goals as the ref sent the players to the dressing rooms.

For the second half, Yury Semin looked to increase front fire power and thus introduced Dramane Traore in place of the rather disappoining Dmitry Torbinsky. Valery Karpin responded by withdrawing Welliton for Yakovlev - who eventually had the first chance of the second half. Ibson bursted down on the left flank and after cutting in crossed the ball to the centre. Basha failed to deal with the ball and Ari was presented a chance on a golden plate to bury the match. Fortunately for us the Brazilian forward hesitated and instead of giving a shot passed the ball to Yakovlev whose shot was dealt well by the Loko rearguard. As minutes went by, Spartak looked to be happy to defend their slight advantage and operate on counter attacks. On the other hand Semin, looking for the drawing goal, replaced the tired Sychev with Odemwingie. Neverthless, it was Aliev again that troubled Spartak's defence - all this after some good work from Tarasov who grew from strength to strength as the match went on. With the previous substitutions yielding no results, Semin played his last card, that is Gatagov in place of the disappointing Charles. Unfortunately there was no late drama as the crossbar saved Spartak to hold on for a derby victory. 2-1 the final score.

Player Ratings:

Guilherme - 5.5
Slighlty bad positioned for the opening goal. Otherwise did nothing wrong.

Kuzmin - 6.5

Held his own on the right. Good match from the former Citizen.

Asatiani - 6

Had a few scares but closed down Welliton well.

Basha - 5.5

Mixed match from the centre-back. Stopped some attacking moves but kept Ari inside for the second goal.

Yanbaev - 7.5

Terrorised Spartak's right flank. One of the best on pitch.
Charles - 5.5

Failed to mark his authority at the middle of the park

Tarasov - 7

Industrious performance from the midfielder. Won countless ball and sprayed the ball around very well.

Torbinsky - 5.5

Anonymous for much of the first half.

Glushakov - 5.5

Quite similar to Torba

Aliev - 7

Took his goal very well - Loko's first from open play. Unlucky to hit the crossbar with a very late freekick

Sychev - 5.5
Seems that he is not yet fully fit. Marked out from the match by Spartak's sturdy defence.

Substitutions

Traore - 6

His length and strength created havoc in Spartak's backline. Made life quite difficult for Spartak. Yet have to score this season

Odemwingie - 5.5

Given 20 minutes to shine, yet he failed to do something notworthy except one good run.

Gatagov - N/A

No time to impress