Lokomotiv Loses To Atletico
Early in the first half, Lokomotiv and Atletico were looking for each other’s soft spots. Our team were defending, the Spanish side were controlling the ball trying to set up a chance. Atletico were especially threatening during corner kicks. Guilherme had to step in several times to save headers until he was helpless in the 18th minute when, however, Diego Costa sent the ball off the empty net from as close as 2 metres.
In the middle of the first half Lokomotiv lost Zhemaletdinov. Rifat slipped and felt unable to continue playing due to an injury. He was substituted for Idowu who went to play as a right full-back while Ignatyev moved to midfield.
By the middle of the first half Lokomotiv pushed the epicenter away from their area and started attacking more often. Smolov had a go from the corner of the area but missed the target, Joao Mario’s attempt landed on the net.
At the outset of the second half Atletico needed only ten minutes to decide the game. On 48 minutes Joao Felix made a pass to Morata who took the ball down the side and crossed back to Felix. Guilherme parried the first attempt but the follow-up left him not a chance.
Lokomotiv did not give up. Krychowiak could have gotten the team back into the game not long before the whistle. The Railroaders played a corner, Krychowiak had two consecutive chances to score but the opposition’s keeper Oblak was all over the place.
Lokomotiv kept attacking until the last minutes, Barinov’s attempt shook the crossbar, but Atletico secured the scoreline and bagged three points.
Champions League. Group stage. Group D. Round 2.
Lokomotiv – Atletico – 0:2 (0:0)
Goals: Joao Felix, 48 (0:1). Thomas, 58 (0:2)
Lokomotiv: Guilherme, Ignatyev (Eder, 79), Corluka, Hoewedes, Rybus, Murilo, Barinov, Joao Mario, Krychowiak, Zhemaletdinov (Idowu, 33), Smolov (Kolomeytsev, 83)
Atletico: Oblak, Jimenez, Arias, Thomas, Koke (Correa, 86), Joao Felix (Hermoso, 84), Saul, Morata, Renan Lodi, Felipe, Diego Costa (Lemar, 76)
Yellow cards: Thomas, 30. Ignatyev, 62. Felipe, 82. Joao Mario, 85.
Referee: Orel Grinfeld (Israel)
October 1, 2019. Moscow, RZD Arena
