Loko On Top In Derby

Lokomotiv claim a win over CSKA in Gameweek 11 of the Russian Football Championship.

Before the main event kicked off, Cherkizovo offered rich entertainment for the arriving fans. The pre-planned programme featured fitness test: anyone could have a go to earn the badge. Elsewhere, there were ponies and steam-engines for kids to ride. You could get something good to eat from numerous food-trucks.

Lokomotiv’s line-up against CSKA featured none of the designated strikers. “Our attacking squad is large. We have Fernandes and Miranchuk, and Samedov, and Kasaev,” – recounted Yuriy Syomin in the pre-match interview.

Although during the first half the rivals played with zest, we witnessed not so much in terms of goal-mouth action. Miranchuk with Fernandes went on mazy runs in the Armymen’s danger zone, but we lacked the finishing touch. On the stroke of halftime, the post saved us when Vasiliy Berezutskiy had a go; the defender came inside the box to try to score off a corner.

The second half was slower, however it brought us the result. Maicon hit the field to replace Kasaev and within the space of literally seconds burst through three defenders to make it 1:0. In the time remaining to the final whistle, CSKA got but one chance through Ionov - Guilherme blocked his close-range shot and rescued the team.

Lokomotiv held the score to secure the crucial long-sought victory.

ROSGOSSTRAKH Russian Cahmpionship. Gameweek 11

Lokomotiv - CSKA – 1:0 (0:0)
Goals scored: Maicon, 65 (1:0)

Lokomotiv: Guilherme, Yanbaev, Corluka, Pejcinovic, V.Denisov, I.Denisov, Mykhalyk (Ndinga, 76), Samedov, Kasaev (Maicon, 64), Fernandes (Kolomeytsev, 83), Miranchuk
CSKA: Akinfeev, Fernandes, Wernblum, Ignashevich, Tosic, Milanov, Traore, Golovin, V.Berezutskiy, Shchennikov, Natcho (Ionov, 70)
Bookings: Golovin, 72. Maicon, 84
Referee: Sergei Karasev (Moscow)
23 October 2016. Moscow, Lokomotiv stadium