Lokomotiv And Rubin Tied Score In Kazan-Arena Opening Game

On Gameweek 4, Lokomotiv hit the road to travel to Kazan where the local Rubin were impatient to boast their new stadium built for World Cup-2018.

Lokomotiv presented a deeply modernized lineup as compared to the last Gameweek’s home clash with Rostov. Two alterations in the back were Pejcinovic and Shishkin who replaced the disqualified Corluka and the injured Yanbaev. Ukrainian Taras Mykhalyk paired with Tarasov covered the back of midfield. Maicon went to terrorize the Tatars’ defence on the wing while Alexey Miranchuk played in the hole instead of Fernandes. Roman Pavlyuchenko played a lone striker replacing Dame Ndoye.

With the starting whistle, Lokomotiv immediately employed an aggressive manner of play. The Railwaymen pushed Rubin back to their goal and soon set up twice for Pavlyuchenko: in one episode, Miranchuk made a through pass to Roman who escaped two defenders and took a dangerous shot, and seconds later Alexander Samedov sped along the penalty area and centered to SuperPav who propelled the ball over the crossbar.

Rubin preferred counter-attacks but Lokomotiv were better in this component. In the 26th minute the Red-Greens scored a cracker when Samedov carried the ball down the right wing and passed to Mykhalyk. The Ukrainian made a great pass to Miranchuk who had no problems with working the ball. The youngster broke away from Kverkvelia and took a chip shot over Ryzhikov scoring the first-ever goal on Kazan-Arena.

This masterfully executed attack drew all attention to Lokomotiv’s young talent. Probably, the referee didn’t like it and soon came into the limelight himself when he granted Rubin an extremely doubtful penalty. Karadeniz leveled the score although Guilherme was close to stopping the ball.

The next chance was masterminded by Alexey Miranchuk who steamed up the centre and made a classy pass to Pavlyuchenko on the edge of the area. Roman turned and hurled towards the goal making Ryzhikov try hard to parry. Maicon was about to pick up the ball but his opponent Kuzmin was a bit faster.

In the closing minutes of the half Rubin took the initiative. They even managed to create some chances one of which resulted in a dangerous shot by Mogilyovets that shook the crossbar.

Motivated by the coach in the half-time, the visitors rushed for another goal. In the 53rd minute another perspective episode occurred when Samedov had a chance to score from a free-kick. Alexander performed a great strike but missed the target just a fraction.

Soon Miranchuk tried to net but his attempt was just a bit inaccurate.

This was followed by a stand-off when both teams had the ball but couldn’t capitalize on possession.

In the very end of the game the Railwaymen allowed the hosts set up their most dangerous offensive. After a series of short passes the ball found Karadeniz in a threatening position. The Turk bent it but fortunately only shook the woodwork.

Lokomotiv responded with a spectacular wing attack. Kasaev rounded two defenders, ran into the area and made a pass that, however, lacked in accuracy.

The final whistle broke the Railwaymen’s another attack. With eight points we’re now fifth in the League.

Rubin – Lokomotiv 1:1 (1:1)

Goals: Alexey Miranchuk, 26 (0:1). Karadeniz, 31 – с pen. (1:1).

Rubin: Ryzhikov, Kuzmin, Nabiullin, Kverkvelia, Navas, Mogilyovets, Ozdoyev, Karadeniz, Georgiev, Portnyagin, Kanunnikov.

Lokomotiv: Guilherme, Pejcinovic, Mykhalyk, Durica, Denisov, Shishkin, Samedov, Tarasov, Alexey Miranchuk (Tkachev, 74), Maicon (Kasaev, 89), Pavlyuchenko (Ndoye, 52).

Yellow cards: Pavlyuchenko, 36. Denisov, 45. Georgiev, 65. Durica, 82.

Referee: Mikhail Vilkov (Nizhniy Novgorod).

August 17. Kazan. Kazan-Arena Stadium.