Juniors Lose To Zenit

Lokomotiv youth squad suffered a defeat to Zenit in the Russian championship’s Gameweek 15.


Loko arrived to the game sitting just three points behind their vis-a-vis, and in case of victory could have moved to third place of the youth tournament table. Thus, the encounter with the Blue-White-Sky Blues was not only a clash of the two capital cities, but also a battle for a top-three spot.

Both Lokomotiv and Zenit understood the game’s importance very well and from the opening minutes didn’t mess about. There was plenty of struggle, yet it was beautiful and spectacular football – the sides virtually stretched the play from end to end omitting the midfield. Anton Miranchuk and Artyom Galadzhan were noticeable among the Railwaymen with their dangerous runs and created opportunities. Visitors responded with powerful long shots.

The second half witnessed less action as the pace decreased. Then Loko coaches came up with a surprise substitution and brought on forward-playing Galanin for Makhatadze who had been manning the midfield alone. A mere minute onto the pitch, Ivan had a clear-cut opportunity to put us ahead – his attempt went just inches off the post!

Zenit opened the score, benefiting from the Red-Greens’ mistake at throw-in. Andreyev found himself clean on goal, ran closer and fired a well-placed shot. Kovalev stood no chance. After the homer, Zenit moved deep into their territory.

With not much time to go, Loko made another all-or-nothing defender-for-striker swap: Shadrin off, Rubtsov on, bringing up the number of attacking players to four. And it became really heated in the visitors' box – shots and threats following one another... But Zenit’s defensive effort coupled with a little luck kept the score pegged at 0:1.

ROSGOSSTRAKH Russian Youth Football Championship. Gameweek 15

Lokomotiv - Zenit - 0:1 (0:0)

Goals scored: Andreyev, 69
Lokomotiv: Kovalev, Shadrin (Rubtsov, 76), Nikitin, Samohvalov, Dovbnya, Ant.Miranchuk (Mostovoy, 86), Makhatadze (Galanin, 62), Anisimov, Galadzhan, Lysov (Smirnov, 46), Zhemaletdinov
Zenit: Knyazev, Vodyannikov, Marsev, Ponikarov, Kotov, Ivanov, Osipov (Novopashin, 50), Andreyev, Krapukhin (Denisov), Nazimov
Bookings: Ant.Miranchuk, 45. Galanin, 85. Marsev, 87. Galadzhan, 89
November 7. Moscow, Lokomotiv stadium (Perovo).