Defeat In Rostov

As compared to the previous fixture with Zenit, Lokomotiv's lineup saw three main squad players back on the list. Vedran Corluka had served his sentence and returned to the back four, Vitaliy Denisov recovered from his injury and Lass Diarra looked fit for the starting role again.

Lokomotiv embarked on attacking and possession but couldn't really capitalize on it. On the contrary, Rostov managed to claim the initiative thanks to Ananidze and Dzyuba. Thankfully, our back four gave no cause to doubt their professionalism and passion. In one episode, Durica was tackled hard and had his head bleeding. The doctors took him off the pitch to heal and soon Jan was back on track.

In the 18th minute, Rostov scored an opener. The hosts were granted a free kick about 30 metres away from our goal, Diyakov took a shot, the ball hit the wall and went into the back of the net.

The Railwaymen response came late in the half when Vitaliy Denisov carried the ball down his side and centrered. Pletikosa fisted it away, Sergey Tkachyov picked and blasted again but the ball flew to row Z.

In the second half Lokomotiv started pressing the opponents high trying to break attacks and have the ball. As a result the Red-Greens had more opportunities to score. Tkachyov picked the ball in the area and rifled but Pletikosa parried. Sergey picked it again and had another go but off the target this time.

In the 61st minute Leonid Kuchuk switched to a two-forward scheme: Roman Pavlyuchenko substituted Sergey Tkachyov.

Seconds later, Dame N'Doye could have equalized when he tried to finish a cross from a flank. Alas, the ball missed the target.

In the 68th minute, the Railwaymen missed a counterattack which proved successful an allowed Rostov's Kalachyov to double the lead.

Trying to get back into the game Lokomotiv set up several perspective attacks: Denisov could have assisted to N'Doye, and Boussoufa's cross to Pavlyuchenko could have proved effective but didn't. The score remained unchanged.

Rostov - Lokomotiv 2:0 (1:0)

Goals: Diyakov, 18 (1:0). Kalachyov, 68 (2:0).

Rostov: Pletikosa, Diyakov, Bastos, Milic, Lolo (Matrasov, 76), Kalachyov (Sinama-Pongol, 88), Gabulov (Yemelyanov, 79), Fatullayev, Ananidze, Gatcan, Dzyuba.

Lokomotiv: Abayev, Shishkin, Corluka, Durica, Denisov, Sheshukov, Diarra (Ozdoyev, 71), Samedov (Al. Miranchuk, 86), Boussoufa, Tkachyov (Pavlyuchenko, 61), N'Doye.

Yellow cards: Gatcan, 32. Dzyuba, 64. Corluka, 64. Kalachyov, 68.

Referee: Mikhail Vilkov (Nizhniy Novgorod).

May 11. Rostov-on-Don. Olimp-2 Stadium.