A Level Derby

Compared to the game against Dynamo Slaven Bilic brought two changes into the starting list. The team that arrived at Luzhniki saw Yan Tigorev and Alexander Samedov in midfield. The playing scheme also had a shift: Felipe Caicedo played a central forward while Dame N'Doye was set to tear Spartak's left defenders.

The teams started off carefully. The ball stuck in midfield for most of the first 30 minutes. Loko's Tigorev-Tarasov defensive midfield pair looked great, burning out any opponent's activity  in front of the box.

Slaven Bilic made one tactical change during the first half, returning Dame N'Doye back to the centre, with Denis Glushakov taking his former position.

Half an hour into the game, Spartak managed to create a first opportunity, although it came out of nothing. Kirill Kombarov meant to cross, but failed to kick properly and the ball flew over Guilherme right onto the crossbar and left the pitch.

The Railwaymen responded in five minutes. Caicedo fought through Spartak's defence, found the ball passed to him from behind, and broke one-on-one with Pesyakov an shot but wide.

Guilherme had a chance to show off his skill shortly  before the break. Dzyuba managed a powerful shot from just metres away but Marinato's instincts were faster than the ball which he tipped away.

In the half-time, Slaven Bilic made a substitution, sending forth Maxim Grigoriev instead of Felipe Caicedo.

In the beginning of the second half Dzyuba had a similar opportunity as in the first half but failed to hit the target this time.

Maxim Grigoriev started off actively. In the 62nd minute he broke into the box and should have shot but made an inaccurate pass instead. Minutes later, he managed a great pass to N'Doye in the box but the Senegalese shot off the target.

In the 69th minute Spartak really managed to disturb peace Guilherme and Co have enjoyed so far. Ex-Railwayman Diniyar Bilyaletdinov shot at goal and found the crossbar, the ball bounced back into the field to Ari who was ready to go for a second attempt but Jan Durica cleared the danger the very last moment.

To put up pressure on Pesyakov's goal, Slaven Bilic trew in Dmitry Torbinsky and Roman Pavlyuchenko.

Soon after the substitution from Valery Karpin (Ari was exchanged for Vukojevic), both teams had opportunities. Tarasov and Durica managed to deliver the ball to the box, Tarasov passed to Torbinsky but the freshman's shot was blocked by a defender. Spartak managed a rapid counterattack but Guilherme played well off the goal line.

The last ten minutes brought almost no dangers. No goals were scored and the game ended in a draw.

Spartak - Lokomotiv 0:0

Spartak: Pesyakov, K. & D. Kombarovs, Bocchetti, Suchy, Carioca, Kallstrom (Bilyaletdinov, 59), Jurado, Ari (Vucojevic, 77), Dzyuba, Movsisian (Waris, 66).

Lokomotiv: Guilherme, Shishkin, Corluka, Durica, Yanbaev, Tigorev, Tarasov, Glushakov (Torbinsky, 72), Samedov, Caicedo (Grigoriev, 46), N'Doye (Pavlyuchenko, 73).

Yellow cards: Samedov, 35. Bocchetti, 38. Dzyuba, 80. Tigorev, 86. Durica, 89.

Referee: Sergey Karasyov (Moscow).

March 16. Moscow. Luzhniki Stadium.