First Victory!

Unlike the previous two games that saw Lokomotiv playing by a 4-2-2 tactics, this time Slaven Bilic preferred a 4-5-1 formation, with Dame N'Doye as a lone striker.

Lokomotiv grabbed the initiative from the first minutes which resulted in an early goal. In the 9th minute Victor Obinna tried to dribble his opponent but was knocked down not far from the goal. The ref gave a free kick and Alexander Samedov curved the ball right into the back of the net.

Nine minutes later the Railwaymen had a good chance to double their lead but Maxim Grigoriev was inaccurate after a great pass from Obinna.

"Slovan" used their first opportunity in the game. In the 20th minute Rybalka dribbled several opponents and passed to Stajner who hammered the ball into the corner.

Last minutes of the half were far less exciting, but for the last five. First, Kusnir crossed to Rabusic whose powerful header was tipped away by Guilherme in a fantastic save. The counter-attack by the Red-Green culminated with Obinna's shot which was a bit inaccurate.

In the half-time, Slaven Bilic made four substitutions, refreshing his team with Kresic, Torbinsky, Maicon and Shishkin who became the captain.

The game was basically done in fifteen minutes. First, Maicon nearly stole the ball from Slovan's keeper who lost concentration. But later the Brazilian managed to score. Torbinsky crossed from a corner and Maicon headed the ball home.

In just four minutes, the Railwaymen sciored again. Shishkin ran forward with the ball, played one-two with Glushakov and picked his spot in the corner!

The rest of the game was calm. The Red-Green controlled the ball and didn't allow the Czechs threaten their goal. Pavlyuchenko could have scored even more, but his first shot was stopped by the keeper, and the second attempt was blocked by Kovac.

Kresic did some job in the 89th minute when Rybalka decided to shoot from a middle range but Dario tipped the ball away. As a result, the Railwaymen won 3:1.

Lokomotiv - Slovan 3:1 (1:1)

Goals: Samedov, 9 (1:0). Steiner, 20 (1:1). Maicon, 57 (2:1). Shishkin, 61 (3:1).

Lokomotiv: Guilherme (Kresic, 46), Yanbaev (Shishkin, 46), Durica, Lystsov, Denisov, Ozdoev, Obinna (Torbinsky, 46), Glushakov, Samedov (Maicon, 46), Grigoriev (Pavlyuchenko, 60), N'Doye.

Slovan: Hauzr, Kelic, Fridek, Kusnir(Янеч, 76), Kovac, Fleisman (Coufal, 76), Kusek, Pavelka, Rybalka, Stajner (Ndiaye, 76), Rabusic (Hadascok, 46).

Yellow cards: Grigoriev, 31. Durica, 45.

February 9. Larnaka. SK Alfa-Sport Stadium.