Started with a draw

Loko’s starting eleven was almost identical to that of the last off-season training camp, the only exception being the installation of newcomer Alexander Samedov in the midfield. Although Alexander is hardly a novice in the team – this is his second coming to the club after leaving in 2008.

Both teams spent the first minutes of the game studying the opponent, which implied careful actions in defence and little or none goal attempts, so both goalies had almost no work to do. But in the 13th minute an incredibly powerful shot by Maribor’s Tavares changed everything. The forward sent the ball precisely to the upper corner, out of reach of Alexander Filtsov, and the score was set - 1:0.

This sting made Lokomotiv start playing more actively, take the ball away and keep it. Massive set-play attacks became frequent. Roman Pavlyuchenko shot at goal from various positions, Victor Obinna made many precise crosses from the left but spoilt a one-on-one opportunity, and on the right flank Alexander Samedov constantly threatened to pierce Maribor’s defence.

One of Alexander’s runs became successful. He passed into the box to Roman Shishkin who then passed to Denis Glushakov and the midfielder hammered the ball into the net.

In the end of the first half, Pavlyuchenko, Durica and Shishkin made some impressive attempts that didn’t find the goal.

In the second half Loko’s eleven changed almost completely – only Taras Burlak and Alexander Filtsov remained in the field. Just moments after the whistle the Railwaymen created a new opportunity. Senijad Ibricic passed into the box to Maxim Grigoriev who shot immediately but missed.

A few minutes later Filtsov left the pitch too – he was substituted by a 17-year-old Miroslav Lobantsev who found some work to do right away. Two dangerous shots by Cvijanovic would be quite a task for anyone but Miroslav did well. Later he proved to be not only skillful but lucky when Velikonja’s shot went straight into the post.

After these “hot” minutes the tempo went down again and another opportunity appeared only 20 minutes later. This time it was Handanovic’s turn to boast his skill and deflect two dangerous close-range shots in a row by Sychev and Ibricic in the 83rd minute.

After that the opponents never disturbed one another till the final whistle. Loko’s first game with Slaven Bilic as the head coach resulted in a draw.

Lokomotiv – Maribor 1:1 (1:1)

Goals: Tavares, 13 (0:1). Glushakov, 37 (1:1).

Lokomotiv: Filtsov (Lobantsev, 57), Burlak, Shishkin (Yanbaev, 46), Eschenko (A. Ivanov, 46), Durica (Belyaev, 46), Ozdoev (Tigorev, 46), Glushakov (Podberezkin, 46), Samedov (Loskov, 46), Maicon (Sychev, 46), Obinna (Ibricic, 46), Pavlyuchenko (Grigoriev, 46).

Maribor: Handanovic, Potokar, Rajcevic, Arghus Soares (Vidovic, 46), Resek (Trajkovski, 46), Mezga (Ibraimi, 46), Mertelj, Filipovic (Lesjak, 74), Cvijanovic (Crnic, 83), Tavares (Beric, 74), Velikonja (Komazec, 74).

Referee: Tadej Meznar (Slovenia).

Maribor. Stadium «Ljudski Vrt». 700 spectators.

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