Thank You For This Season!

Leonid Kuchuk again made several changes in the lineup in a push to win the top game of the season. Roman Pavlyuchenko spearheaded attacks, Taras Mikhalik played a defensive midfielder, Guilherme took his place between the posts, and the young talent Aleksey Miranchuk played in the hole. The rest of the team including the injured Dmitry Tarasov and Maicon all gathered on the bench.

The Railwaymen were definitely more active in the beginning. The visitors possessed the ball and kept the Armymen on their half. The active Tosic faced the opposition of Jan Durica and Vitaliy Denisov on his flank. Meanwhile, Lokomotiv's free kicks kept Akinfeyev and his defenders busy.

By the middle of the half the hosts managed to earn a free kick too. The cross came to Dzagoev who tried to head it in but the ball went wide. CSKA tried to elaborate with two more offensives that failed to reach Guilherme's goal.

The closer was the half time, the slower became the play. No team pushed hard for a goal, trying to keep status quo, and attacks were rare. In one episode, Guilherme passed to Miranchuk who could have broken away in a counterattack but failed to pass the defenders. The Armymen tried to put up pressure but Durica and Denisov dismantled all their efforts.

The beginning of the second half was embarrassing. Tosic carried the ball up the centre, moved right and blasted at the corner opening the score.

The Railwaymen ran for an equalizer and immediately had two opportunities. Miranchuk went for glory but Akinfeyev managed to parry. Then Roman Shishkin found himself in the box but couldn't work the ball.

Soon Leonid Kuchuk made two substitutions: Mbark Boussoufa climbed off the bench to replace Taras Mikhalik, while Dame N'Doye was sent to refresh attacking.

CSKA were comfortable with the score and wanted to secure it. Soon Boussoufa could have equalized taking a free kick but the ball went over the crossbar.

Five minutes before the final whistle Lokomotiv were as close to an equalizer as they could be. N'Doye worked the ball in the box and took a shot but only shook a post.

At the end of the game the Railwaymen continued building pressure on Akinfeyev's goal but couldn't find an opportunity to shoot. Despite the Red-Greens lost to CSKA, they won bronze - their first prize in eight years.

This season was rich in victories and losses, spectacular goals and combinations, dramatic competition and games that demonstrated Lokomotiv have character. In August we'll find ourselves fighting both at home and abroad, in Europa League, and be sure the Railwaymen are going to reach new heights.

CSKA - Lokomotiv 1:0 (0:0)

Goal: Tosic, 47.

CSKA: Akinfeev, Fernandez, Wernblum, Ignashevich, Tosic, V. Berezutskiy, Schennikov, Zuber, Dzagoyev (Moussa, 79), Elm, Doumbia (Bazelyuk, 90).

Lokomotiv: Guilherme, Corluka, Mikhalik (Boussoufa, 54), Durica, Denisov, Yanbayev, Samedov, Al. Miranchuk, Tkachyov (Shishkin, 46), Diarra, Pavlyuchenko (N'Doye, 56).

Yellow cards: Corluka, 86. Doumbia, 86. Akinfeyev, 90. Boussoufa, 90.

May 15. Khimki. "Khimki Arena".