Played Well But Lost

In the game against CSKA, Slaven Bilic again decided to test the same 11 as in the last match against Strømsgodset.

The game started off boldly, with Lokomotiv taking possession. In the first minutes, one of the most active players was Victor Obinna who became an important link between defence and attack. In the 12th minute the Nigerian started a raid which became the first danger at Akinfeev's goal. Obinna on the left flank put away Fernandes, passed to Torbinsky who passed further to Glushakov. Denis should have struck right away but didn't and let defenders clear the danger.

CSKA's response became effective. Elm played a high ball to Doumbia who kicked it further scoring an opener.

Lokomotiv could have made the score level very soon. Renat Yanbaev passed to Dame N'Doye who shot but the keeper parried. No one of the Red-Greens managed to get to the ball first.

Late into the half, Lokomotiv managed to reclaim the initiative again. The Railwaymen earned several free kicks which posed real threat to CSKA. Akinfeev managed to parry the shots by Shishkin and Obinna, and then Glushakov was slightly inaccurate in the third episode.

Lokomotiv managed to score before the very break. Corluka played a long ball to N'Doye who outplayed Akinfeev and rolled the ball into the empty net.

The second half started with attacks from both sides. First, Tosic found Dzagoev in the box. Alan shot but missed. Just a couple of minutes later N'Doye shot from a set piece and again very close to the upper corner.

An hour into the game, Slaven Bilic made a multiple substitution. Yanbaev, Glushakov, Obinna and Caicedo were changed for Denisov, Tarasov, Samedov and Pavlyuchenko.

Most of the action moved to the centre of the field, with no dangers occuring. This made the Armymen's second goal even more illogical. Vagner Love passed into the box hitting Durica on the hand. The ref gave him a foul and granted CSKA a penalty which was realized by Elm.

Having conceded, the Railwaymen rushed for an equalizer. Torbinsky had the fattest chance in the 86th minute: Pavlyuchenko saw space before Dmitry and passed but Akinfeev got to the ball first.

The Railwaymen kept storming the Armymen's goal till the very final whistle but never scored.

Lokomotiv - CSKA 1:2 (1:1)

Goals: Doumbia, 14 (0:1). N'Doye, 45 (1:1). Elm, 75 – pen. (1:2).

Lokomotiv: Guilherme, Shishkin, Corluka, Durica (Burlak, 87), Yanbaev (Denisov, 60) Tigorev, Glushakov (Tarasov, 60), Torbinsky, Obinna (Samedov, 60), Caicedo (Pavlyuchenko, 60), N'Doye (Grigoriev, 76).

CSKA: Akinfeev, V. Berezutsky, Ignashevich, Fernandes, Shchennikov (A. Berezutsky, 72), Vernblum, Dzagoev, Tosic (Moussa, 61), Elm, Vagner, Doumbia (Mamaev, 72).

Yellow cards: Torbinsky, 33. Vernblum, 41. Tigorev, 69.

February 26. Marbella. "Marbella" Stadium.