Didn't Make It
Compared to the previous Gameweek when the Railwaymen defeated Terek, Miodrag Bozovic made only one change in the lineup. Creative box-to-box Manuel Fernandes remained seated while Taras Mykhalyk was located in the back of midfield with a destructive mission.
This bet worked. In the first half, Spartak could hardly call themselves the hosts at their brand new stadium. Lokomotiv controlled midfield, possessed the ball, and constantly picked it up when the Red-Whites lost it. The home side's scoring opportunities counted few.
On 5 minutes there was a skirmish when, first, Alexander Samedov was going to receive a pass from Corluka close to Spartak's box but got fouled at. Vitaliy Denisov had a go at the goal from a free kick but missed. Soon Spartak played a corner that could turn dangerous be it not for Ilya Abaev who intercepted the ball in the air.
In the middle of the half, Spartak had a chance to capitalize on a counter attack when three of their players opposed two defenders, but Denisov intercepted in the box and cleared. Minutes later Spartak's young talent Promes received the ball at the arc and had a go but missed just a fraction. Renat Yanbaev responded with a similar attempt at row Z.
Nothing changed after the half-time, and both managers had to refresh their squads. Roman Pavlyuchenko and Manuel Fernandes replaced Oumar Niasse and Alexander Sheshukov at Lokomotiv, while Spartak made two substitutions long awaited by the fans: Roman Shirokov and Yura Movsisyan came on. These moves produced an immediate effect, making the ball swing to and fro at a pace.
On 84 minutes came an opener. Fernandes received the ball in the area, worked it for the right leg and discharged a spectacular shot at the far top corner.
If only this was enough! Minutes later Spartak delivered the ball to Shirokov who headed it into the back of the net, making the score level.
Even despite a more aggressive play in the last minutes, none of the teams could change the scoreline. Lokomotiv were a step away from a victory but a second-long loss of concentration cost them two points.
Spartak - Lokomotiv 1:1 (0:0)
Goals: Fernandes, 84 (0:1). Shirokov, 87 (1:1).
Spartak: Rebrov, Parshivlyuk, Bocchetti (Movsisyan, 71), Insaurralde, Joao Carlos, Makeyev, Promes, Glushakov (Dzyuba, 86), Källström (Shirokov, 55), Romulo, Jurado.
Lokomotiv: Abaev, Yanbaev, Corluka, Durica, Denisov, Samedov, Mykhalyk, Sheshukov (Fernandes, 70), Boussoufa, Maicon (Kasaev, 86), Niasse (Pavlyuchenko, 68).
Yellow cards: Corluka, 45. Maicon, 73.
Referee: Igor Fedotov (Moscow).
October 26. Moscow. Otkrytie Arena. 39 704 sectators.
