Narrow Defeat

A Europa League loss to Apollon came as a heavy blow to the team. This made Leonid Kuchuk reshuffle the lineup. Ilya Abaev had a chance between the posts, defender Vitaliy Denisov was back to cover the left wing, while Yan Tigorev was replaced with Dmitriy Tarasov in the back of midfield. Central midfielders Alan Kasaev and Manuel Fernandes remained in the dugout letting Alexey Miranchuk and Alexander Samedov assume their roles. Roman Pavlyuchenko spearheaded attack.

The clash began with a dangerous free kick from Zenit. Hulk had a go at the goal from about 25 metres but hit the outside of the net.

The first twenty minutes of the opening half that were dominated by the visitors ended up in two consequent saves. First it was Abaev who blocked a dangerous blast by Witsel on the very goal line. In the next episode, three  Railwaymen broke away in a counter-attacking move that could have been effective be it not for Lodygin. Miranchuk made a delightful pass to Pavlyuchenko who turned around and directed the ball right at the corner but the keeper stopped it.

Soon Lokomotiv were given a free kick in a proximity to Lodygin's goal, and it was a clear chance. Samedov played it for Pavlyuchenko who hit it first touch but sent it past the goal.

For the following fifteen minutes the Railwaymen possessed the ball on Zenit's half, and still it was the travelers who posed more threat. Kerzhakov had a go at the goal from a free kick but missed, and soon Shatov crossed for Hulk who failed to bother Abaev.

By the end of an hour, the referee made a mistake that could have had bad consequences for the hosts. Javi Garcia knocked down Durica in the box but Aleksandr Yegorov didn't see that and instead of pointing at the spot allowed Zenit to launch an offensive which did not bear fruit.

However, the Railwaymen conceded before the break. The visitors earned a corner that was played to Lombaerts. The Belgian passed on to Javi Garcia and the Spaniard produced a deadly strike at the corner leaving Abaev not a single chance.

This failure did not make the Railwaymen give up. Leonid Kuchuk tried to revive his team's attacking potential by making three consequent substitutions: Fernandes, Kasaev and Dame Ndoye were sent to produce a goal. After one of Lokomotiv's massisve attacks that failed to convert into a danger, Andre Villas-Boas decided to reduce the risks and changed striker Kerzhakov with midfielder Fayzulin.

Just five minutes before the end of the game did the travelers manage to push the epicentre away from their goal. But eventually, Zenit managed to secure the winning score.

Lokomotiv - Zenit 0:1 (0:0)

Goal: Javi Garcia, 60.

Lokomotiv: Abaev, Shishkin, Corluka, Durica, Denisov, Tigorev, Pejcinovic, Samedov, Alexey Miranchuk (Fernandes, 68), Maicon (Kasaev, 68), Pavlyuchenko (Ndoye, 61).

Zenit: Lodygin, Criscito, Lombaerts, Smolnikov, Garay, Hulk (Rondon, 83), Shatov, Javi Garcia, Witsel (Mogilevets, 90), Danny, Kerzhakov (Fayzulin, 76).

Yellow cards: Durica, 37. Hulk, 38. Maicon, 43. Lombaerts, 48. Corluka, 58. Kriscito, 89.

Referee: Aleksandr Yegorov (Saransk).

August 31. Moscow, Lokomotiv Stadium. 14 747 spectators.