Lokomotiv lose to Sochi

Before the match with Sochi, Lokomotiv coaches faced a selection headache as three key players were ruled out - Krychowiak was serving a suspension, Magkeev and Corluka were injured. Lystsov joined Murilo in the center of defense, while Zhemaletdinov helped Kulikov in the centre of the field.

Sochi also had its own problems. The top scorer of the league, Christian Noboa, missed the match due to injury, while one of the team leaders, Ibragim Tsallagov, was suspended.

Lokomotiv failed in the first half. Despite the fact that our team had more possession at the beginning of the match, they failed to create anything dangerous near Sochi’s goal. The hosts defended confidently and twice punished Lokomotiv for major mistakes.

In the 15th minute Rybus lost the ball on the wing, Margasov immediately made a cross into the penalty area, where Zabolotny opened between Lystsov and Murilo and struck the ball with his head into the back of net.

After the goal, Lokomotiv took control of the ball, but again did not find a way to unlock Sochi’s defence. Sochi defended well and were quite dangerous on counter attacks. In one of them, Zabolotny went one-on-one with Guilherme, but our keeper managed to save it. A few seconds later Zabolotny hit the crossbar after a corner kick.

And in the 41st minute Sochi again punished our team for a mistake. Lystsov lost the ball in the centre of the field, Zabolotny and Burmistrov fled into a counter attack, and Nikita finished his one-on-one chance.

In addition to conceded goals, Eder and Rybus got their fourth yellow card of the season, which means they will miss the next league game against Dynamo due to suspension.

Lokomotiv dominated the second half. For 45 minutes, Sochi didn’t make a shot on target, but the hosts didn't need to attack. The whole team stepped back and defended the score, making it difficult for our team to break them down.

Nevertheless, Miranchuk managed to get one goal back. After Zhivoglyadov's cross, Mevlja unsuccessfully knocked the ball out, and Anton immediately hammered it into the net.

After that, Lokomotiv increased the pressure on the goal even more. Lisakovich could have scored the equaliser, but Mevlja managed to take the ball off his foot on the goalkeeper's line and kick it away. Lokomotiv did have a few minor chances before the end of the game, but Sochi coped well and earned three points. Lokomotiv lost the second league match in a row.

TINKOFF Russian Premier League. Gameweek 13

Sochi - Lokomotiv- 2:1 (2:0)
Goals: A. Zabolotny, 15 (1:0). Burmistrov, 41 (2:0). Miranchuk, 65 (2:1)

Sochi: Dzhanaev, Terekhov, Margasov, Mevlja (Nabiullin, 68), Mammana, Miladinovic, Burmistrov (Zaika, 70), Yusupov, D. Prutsev, A. Zabolotny, Joaozinho (Novoseltsev, 89)
Lokomotiv: Guilherme, Zhivoglyadov, Lystsov, Murilo, Rybus, Kulikov, Zhemaletdinov (Iosifov, 84), Rybchinskiy (Lisakovich, 64), Kamano (Miranchuk, 64), Smolov (Ze Luis, 75), Eder
Bookings: Eder, 16. Rybus, 28. Mevlja, 55. Miladinovic, 70. Murilo, 74. Kulikov, 74. Dzhanaev, 74. Terekhov, 78
Referee: Stanislav Vasiliev (Izhevsk)
October 31, 2020. Sochi, Fisht Stadium.