Yet Another Derby Won!
The changes that Miodrag Bozovic made to the Lokomotiv lineup were boosted by the absence of Vitaliy Denisov. The sidelined left full-back was replaced by Renat Yanbaev, while the other wing was covered by Roman Shishkin; elsewhere, Taras Mykhalyk took his position in the back of midfield instead of Aleksandr Sheshukov, and finally the completely recovered Dame Ndoye spearheaded attacks. Murat Yakin surprised everybody with the new name: the young Denis Kutin replaced his injured teammate Parshivlyuk.
In the opening minutes, Spartak looked more solid. But even despite they managed to push Lokomotiv back to their goal for some time, they failed to come really close. Unlike the Railwaymen who ran on a dangerous attack down the left wing. Yanbaev easily shook off Romulo and crossed to Ndoye who was a bit unlucky in the box.
Soon, however, Renat had to see a doctor. The defender got injured in midfield, the physicians tried to help him on the sideline and allowed him to play. But just a minute later Renat was changed for Nemanja Pejcinovic who came on to cover the left flank.
Generally, the game's tempo was uneven, and both teams managed to create chances once in a while. In one such episode, Glushakov managed to break from Alan Kasaev and cross to Promes who had a go wide.
After the break the play didn't change. Until the 55th minute neither team could set up a more or less dangerous attack. Soon Samedov received a pass from Boussoufa and rifled at the low corner but Rebrov saved.
Lokomotiv continued to build up pressure and Ndoye had a chance when he wanted to finish Kasaev's cross. Kombarov blocked the attempt in an unauthorized way but the referee saw no foul.
However, Lokomotiv succeeded without the outside help. Mbark Boussoufa left the ball for Kasaev on the wing, and the Ossetian bent the ball right into the far low corner. Ndoye tried to be a finisher but only helped disorient the keeper who couldn't decide which way to go.
Lokomotiv wanted another goal and soon had a chance to double the lead. Mykhalyk carried the ball through Spartak's right wing, played one-two with Boussoufa and centered to Ndoye who was not ready for that slow pass and therefore failed to strike.
In another episode, Corluka created a chance. The defender carried the ball up the field and was approaching the box when Glushakov cleared the danger.
Soon Mikhail Vilkov produced the final whistle that sealed Lokomotiv's victory. That means the Railwaymen remain unbeaten by Spartak in the last three seasons.
Lokomotiv - Spartak 1:0 (0:0)
Goal: Kasaev, 77.
Lokomotiv: Abaev, Shishkin, Corluka, Durica, Yanbaev (Pejcinovic, 32), Mykhalyk, Fernandes (Sheshukov, 75), Samedov, Boussoufa, Kasaev (Maicon, 79), Ndoye.
Spartak: Rebrov, Kutin, Makeyev, Joao Carlos, Kombarov, Glushakov, Callstrom (Yakovlev, 85), Romulo, Promes, Movsisyan (Dzyuba, 70), Ebert.
Yellow cards: Ebert, 39. Shishkin, 59. Mykhalyk, 69. Glushakov, 72. Makeyev, 72. Ndoye, 85. Kombarov, 85.
Referee: Mikhail Vilkov (Nizhniy Novgorod)
November 30. Moscow. Lokomotiv Stadium. 13 760 spectators.
