Lokomotiv Concede On 93 Minutes and Lose To Juventus
The game in Turin demonstrated that Lokomotiv can play on equal terms against any team in the world. The Railroaders stopped short of victory, do before the game in Moscow the main question was tactics - would Lokomotiv open up or concentrate on defence? At a pre-match press conference Yuriy Syomin said he would try to find balance.
However, Lokomotiv started in the worst possible way. Ronaldo had a go from a free kick at a touchline but Guilherme failed to fix the ball, dropped it and watched it roll into the net between his legs, assisted by Ramsey.
Lokomotiv never thought to give in. The minutes later João Mario sent the ball just over the crossbar, and nine minutes later Aleksey Miranchuk equalised. His first attempt shook the post but he himself picked up a deflection and sent it into the net.
The second half started with a dangerous attempt by Ronaldo. The ball bounced in front of Guilherme but the keeper got it. After that the action calmed down but again it was Ronaldo who broke the peace with a blast at the top ninety, and again it was Guilherme who saved it.
This pushed the Railroaders forward, and we dominated the field in the next half-hour. The team played amazing combinations, making Szczesny work hard. And when in one episode the Pole was helpless, his teammate Bonucci had his back: on 79 minutes Krychowiak couldn't beat the countryman but the ball bounced off to João Mario who had a go at the empty net but Bonucci played the last man.
With ten minutes left before full time, Sarri substituted Ronaldo for Dybala. Cristiano did not shake the coach's hand, while on the pitch his team was rushing forward. Like in the previous game, individual skills made the difference. Douglas Costa turned another ordinary episode into a spectacular goal. The Brazilian carried the ball from the flank to the centre, shook off three defenders, played one-two with Higuain, shook off three other defenders and sent the ball home - 1:2.
Champions League. Group stage. Group D. Round 4.
Lokomotiv - Juventus -1:2 (1:1)
Goals: Ramsey, 4 (0:1). Al.Miranchuk, 13 (1:1). Douglas Costa, 93 (1:2)
Lokomotiv: Guilherme, Corluka, Hoewedes, Rybus, Ignatyev, Krychowiak, Barinov, Joao Mario (Kolomeytsev, 85), Zhemaletdinov (Murilo, 81), Al.Miranchuk, Eder
Juventus: Szczesny, Pjanic, Khedira (Douglas Costa, 69), Ronaldo (Dybala, 81), Ramsey (Bentancur, 64), Alex Sandro, Danilo, Bonucci, Higuain, Rugani, Rabiot
Bookings: Bonucci, 39. Rybus, 83. Douglas Costa, 94
Referee: Ruddy Buquet (France)
November 6, 2019. Moscow, Lokomotiv Stadium
