Sensible Defeat In Krasnodar
Lokomotiv lost to Kuban in a Gameweek 14 match of the ROSGOSSTRAKH Russian championship.
In addition to tight-packed schedule, Loko were suddenly facing a selection crisis right ahead of Krasnodar. Tarasov, Pejcinovic, Mykhalyk as well as Kasaev were sidelined due to injuries. Their different recovery times made the coaches look for alternatives, as the team would not able to field their best starting eleven yet.
Before the whistle, the Railwaymen were warmly greeted by Roman Pavlyuchenko. However, he remained in the dugout hoping to come on for the closing half.
The first half did not go quite according to Loko’s game plan. It was as if somebody had let a genie out of the bottle to help Kuban. In the opening 45 minutes the home side did not waste a single opportunity and even scored once directly from a corner. We responded with a handful of chances perfectly crafted by Niasse, Denisov’s potent shots and lobbed passes to Corluka in the box – but Kuban’s goal seemed charmed. When the Railroaders walked off the field for the break, they were down at 0:5 and had a lot to brood on in the meanwhile.
Despite the devastating scoreline by half-time, the second 45 minutes turned out to be no less spectacular and exciting. Kuban sat back to hold the score but were occasionally venturing forward, too. Loko, finally, began finishing the opportunities they created. With mere seven minutes in between, Niasse managed to score himself and assist to Kolomeytsev. Miranchuk and Samedov could have netted more, not to mention Niasse. We really had chances to pull back and even take the lead – but the rivals were spared. The added time witnessed a blunder in midfield resulted in Kuban’s sixth goal.
In spite of the loss, Lokomotiv still sit second in the tournament table - a point ahead of the nearest competitor Zenit.
Already next Wednesday Lokomotiv will fly to Istanbul to face Besiktas, so Igor Cherevchenko’s team should rally for the battle, the sooner the better.
ROSGOSSTRAKH Russian Football Championship. Gameweek 14
Kuban - Lokomotiv - 6:2 (5:0)
Goals scored: Ignatyev, 4 (1:0). Melgarejo, 14 (2:0). Armas, 19 (3:0). Melgarejo, 28 (4:0). Ignatyev, 38 (5:0). Niasse, 64 (5:1). Kolomeytsev, 76 (5:2). Shishkin, 92 (own goal) (6:2).
Kuban: Belenov, Bugayev, Armas, Xandao, Manolev, Khubulov, Yakuba (Konovalov, 86), Tkachyov (Karetnik, 45), Ignatyev,Melgarejo (Pavlyuchenko, 80), Balde
Lokomotiv: Guilherme, Denisov, Corluka, Logashov, Shishkin, Ndinga, Kolomeytsev, Samedov, Maicon (Grigoryev, 74),Al.Miranchuk (Fernandes, 84), Niasse
Bookings: Shishkin, 63
Referee: Sergey Lapochkin (Saint-Petersburg)
November 1. Krasnodar, Kuban stadium
