Lokomotiv On Top
Lokomotiv have beaten Krasnodar in Gameweek 14 of the Russian Championship and are standing first in the table.
Yuriy Syomin made three changes to the starting list as compared to the game in Tiraspol. Youngster Mikhail Lysov filled in the left fullback position, Alexey Miranchuk recovered from a minor injury and was back, while Jefferson Farfan spearheaded attacks. This trio made the first goal.
Fernandes carried the ball to the area, saw Lysov's amazing spurt and passed to him. Mikhail centered the ball to Farfan whose finishing touch was blocked but Miranchuk was there with an effective follow-up - 1:0.
It was expected Krasnodar would go forward trying to equalize, and the Railwaymen would have chances to play on counters.
A minute before the break the Miranchuk brothers had a chance to score a spectacular goal. Anton chipped the ball over to Alexey at the edge of the area, and the latter decided to have a go, pretty unexpectedly for everyone. Sinitsyn had to demonstrate some skill to save his team. However, Krasnodar would test Lokomotiv's defence now and again. Wanderson was very active up front, and his marker Kverkvelia had to try really hard to block some of his attempts.
In the second half Solomon reigned on the pitch. It seemed he won nearly every tackle. Neither Smolov, nor Wanderson managed to threaten our goal thanks to the Georgian.
Krasnodar's only opportunity came after Guilherme's mistake on 57 minutes. The keeper cleared the ball from danger unsuccessfully but immediately saved his team after Wanderson's powerful strike from the edge of the penalty area.
Later, Anton Miranchuk had to score his second goal for the Railroaders when Farfan saw the two brothers breaking away and passed to him. Anton steamed down the left wing, approached the goalkeeper and took a shot but didn't bend enough.
Anyway, Lokomotiv had to produce a spectacular finish, and Fernandes was there to make it. Another dangerous free kick, and another amazing goal from the Portuguese.
Lokomotiv have won and are now standing first in the table. We are finishing the first leg with an away game against Zenit.
ROSGOSSTRAKH Russian Championship. Gameweek 14.
Lokomotiv - Krasnodar - 2:0 (1:0)
Goals: Al.Miranchuk, 27 (1:0). Fernandes, 85 (2:0).
Lokomotiv: Guilherme, Ignatyev, Kverkvelia, Pejcinovic, Lysov, I.Denisov, Tarasov, Fernandes, An. Miranchuk (Rybus, 31), Al. Miranchuk (Kolomeytsev, 90), Farfan
Krasnodar: Sinitsyn, Granqvist, Wanderson (Podberyozkin, 65), Gazinskiy, Smolov, Ramirez, Claesson, Joaozinho (Laborde, 59), Gritsaenko, Pereyra, Petrov
Bookings: Tarasov, 45
Referee: Sergey LApochkin (St Petersburg)
October 23, 2017. Moscow, RZD Arena.
