Hard-Earned Draw In Khimki
Both teams stood just one point away in the table as they came head-to-head in Khimki.
The Railwaymen had to find replacements for the players overbooked during the previous Gameweek. Tarasov, Mykhalyk, and Durica all saw yellow cards in the game against Mordovia and the aggregate did not allow them to play this time. So it was natural to see the back-four line comprised of Logashov, Corluka, Sheshukov, and Denisov. The Dynamo coach suddenly decided to install Rotenberg in defence who rarely makes it to the top eleven.
Once the game started, Lokomotiv rushed to the opponents' goal and created some good chances. Boussoufa was very active and made several good passes to Skuletic. Samedov worked well too, many attacks unfolded through his flank.
The White-Blues defended well trying to make use of counter-attacks and high pressing - a strategy that allowed them threaten our goal. In one episode, Logashov covered for Guilherme who had made a mistake trying to handle a high ball. A minute later, Sheshukov cleared from the goal line.
In the middle of the first half Samedov had a good scoring opportunity. The midfielder hurled a solid mid-ranger but Gabulov saved it. Dynamo responded with two long services for Kuranyi and Valbuena but their kicks were an easy work for Guilherme.
The game was spectacular: the ball never stuck in midfield for long. On 40 minutes William Vainqueur met no opposition while moving to the centre of the box from his flank. The Frenchman improved his position and slammed the ball into the net.
Lokomotiv had their say in four minutes. Petar Skuletic scored a pretty goal, when his chip shot landed behind the goal line leaving Gabulov gazing helplessly .
The second half started with a cold shower for the Railwaymen. Sheshukov committed a foul on Zhirkov and saw a direct red card. Kuranyi scored from a spot kick. After that the game calmed down and the ball rested in midfield. Even understuffed, Lokomotiv did try to attack via Samedov and Pavlyuchenko who substituted Skuletic, but Dynamo responded dangerously.
On 75 minutes the events turned dramatic for the hosts. Buettner knocked down Roman Shishkin in the box and the referee pointed at the spot. Pavlyuchenko took a spot kick but the ball went into the crossbar. But at that moment another whistle demanded a new penalty - the ref saw Kozlov handplaying against Samedov. Fernandes made no mistake setting the scoreline at 2:2.
Late into the second half the Policemen made us nervous again when Dzsudzsak and Ionov shot from a close range, and later Valbuena propelled into the crossbar from a free kick.
The score didn’t change, and it was a really hard-earned draw. Both teams showed bright and interesting play.
Dynamo - Lokomotiv - 2:2 (1:1)
Goals: Vainqueur, 40 (1:0). Skuletic, 45 (1:1). Kuranyi, 49 (pen.) (2:1). Fernandes, 79 (pen.) (2:2)
Dynamo: Gabulov, Buettner (Dzsudzsak, 83), Samba, Vainqueur, Ionov, Valbuena, Hubocan, Zhirkov, Kuranyi (Kokorin, 72), Denisov, Rotenberg (Kozlov, 62).
Lokomotiv: Guilherme, Corluka, Sheshukov, Denisov, Logashov, Shishkin, Fernandws, Kasaev (Maicon, 89), Samedov, Boussoufa, Skuletic (Pavlyuchenko, 64).
Yellow cards: Logashov, 17. Rotenberg, 39. Guilherme, 49. Denisov, 52. Buettner, 77. Vainqueur, 81. Maicon, 90.
Red cards: Sheshukov: 46.
Referee: Vladislav Bezborodov (St Petersburg)
April 4th. Moscow. Khimki Stadium.
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