Victory in Nizhny Novgorod

The game in Nizhny Novgorod failed to gather crowds at Lokomotiv Stadium in the city. Just over six thousand fans came to see the match, roughly a third supported Lokomotiv Moscow. The sector hosting the visitors' fans was full.

On Gameweek 5, both teams made alterations in their starting elevens. FC Volga chose a scheme involving two forwards for the first time this season, them being Mersudin Ahmetovic and Alexey Sapogov. Slaven Bilic installed both Magomed Ozdoev and Alberto Zapater in the midfield.

There, in the midfield, both teams spent half of the first 45 minutes. The first opportunity happened only in the 15th minute when Volga played a free kick, Sapogov headed to Zaitsev who tried to send a header behind Dario Kresic's goal line but missed. The Railwaymen answered soon, sending forth Maicon with the ball, but the forward's kick was inaccurate.

The next ten minutes made the game even more yawnsome. Both teams almost failed even to come close to each other's box, but this break let Lokomotiv grab the initiative. After the 30th minute, the Railwaymen managed to create three opportunities. First, Maicon earned a free-kick: Alexander Samedov passed to Denis Glushakov but Volga's defenders managed to block his shot. Soon, Roman Shishkin was in a good position: the defender managed to save the ball on the edge of the box and shoot but keeper Abaev deflected the ball. After that, Vedran Corluka could have scored: Alexander Samedov crossed to the centre of the box but Corluka's header could have been just a little more precise.

In the half time, both managers made a substitution: Slaven Bilic let out Felipe Caicedo instead of Zapater, and Volga exchanged Karyaka for Bibilov.

Lokomotiv began the second half way more actively than the first. For a starter, the Railwaymen made several long-range shots. Then it was time for more complicated tricks. Samedov crossed to the box, the ball bounced to Glushakov but Denis couldn't strike properly standing with his back to the goal. Soon Volga's keeper Abaev had to step in twice. Roman Pavlyuchenko shot powerfully from outside the box and Abaev worked hard to ward off the ball. A minute later the goalie had to punch the ball away to clear a dangerous cross by Samedov.

In the 60th minute Bilic's substitution proved successfull. Samedov played a corner, Corluka headed on to Caicedo who easily scored an opener.

Just a minute later the Railwaymen had a chance to double their lead. Glushakov made a perfect pass to Maicon who shot from behind a defender. Abaev cleared and Pavlyuchenko who was the first on the ball sent it just over the crossbar.

Late into the game, Lokomotiv managed to score again. Denis Glushakov got the ball in the midfield, carried it to the edge of the box and shot, scoring a winner.

In the extra time Glushakov and Caicedo could have scored a third goal, but Denis's pass was a bit inaccurate. However, the Railwaymen won and are now third in the table.

Volga - Lokomotiv 0:2 (0:0)

Goals: Caicedo, 64 (0:1). Glushakov, 85 (0:2).

Volga: Abaev, Grigalava, Buivolov, Zaitsev, Kharitonov, Shulenin, Adzhindzhal (Kudryashov, 75), Karyaka (Bibilov, 46), Maksimov, Ahmetovic (Belozyorov, 78), Sapogov.

Lokomotiv: Kresic, Shishkin, Burlak, Corluka, Eschenko, Zapater (Caicedo, 46), Glushakov, Ozdoev, Samedov, Maicon  (Durica, 90), Pavlyuchenko (Grigoriev, 79).

Yellow cards: Maksimov, 38. Karyaka, 44. Zaitsev, 53. Samedov, 76. Glushakov, 79.

Referee: Vladislav Bezborodov (St Petersburg).

18 August . Nizhny Novgorod. Lokomotiv Stadium. 6 000 spectators.