Lokomotiv got a draw against Atletico
Atletico approached the match with Lokomotiv in the status of the best team in Spain. Diego Simeone's team rose to second place in La Liga, but still has 2 games in hand and if they win them, they will rise to the first place. Atletico remains the only team that did not suffer a single defeat in the championship, and traditionally conceded the least. Nevertheless, Atletico also had problems. Luis Suarez got infected with the coronavirus, Hector Herrera was injured, Diego Costa did not fully recover in time for today’s game. All three were not included in the squad.
Lokomotiv chose 4-4-2 formation for the match against Atletico. Guilherme returned to the goal, Corluka and Murilo formed partnership in the centre of defence, Ignatiev and Kamano played on the wings of the midfield, Miranchuk played as second forward next to Ze Luis.
The game began with a minute of silence in memory of Diego Maradona. One of the greatest footballers in history died on November 25 at the age of 60.
Atletico immediately pushed Lokomotiv into the penalty area. Llorente, in the first attack, made a low cross into the box to Joao Felix, who mishit the ball from a close range and it went to the other direction. Five minutes later, Rybus saved the team from a goal - Correa made a cross to the far post, where Carrasco’s header hit Maciej and the ball went out for a corner. And on the 13th minute it was time for Guilherme to save the team. Marinato pulled a stunning save after a powerful shot from distance from Llorente.
Lokomotiv managed to move the game away from their goal for a short period of time, but by the middle of the half, Atletico pushed Lokomotiv back to the goal and Guilherme had to pull a few saves. First, after Carrasco’s shot from 25 meters, and a few minutes later after Llorente’s strike from inside the penalty area.
By the end of the half, Lokomotiv grew into the game and even responded with a few counterattacks. First Ignatiev ran along the right wing and passed the ball to Ze Luis in the center of the penalty area - the defender kicked the ball out for a corner. And soon Zhivoglyadov crossed the ball into the penalty area to Vlad, but he slipped due to the rain and defenders managed to clear the situation.
In the second half, Lokomotiv played much more confidently. Atletico still created moments near our goal, but now they were less dangerous - occasional long-range shots and crosses into the box. Lokomotiv defended well and held to the ball and organised their attacks.
In the 56th minute, Koke powerfully shot from a long distance - Guilherme managed to rescue the team. The most realistic chance for the Spaniards to score was in the 68th minute. Carrasco shot from a free-kick into the wall, then picked up the rebound and shot from distance. Guilherme coped with the ball, but Koke was first on the rebound and managed to finish it off. The referee, after watching the replay, disallowed the goal due to an offside position.
Lokomotiv responded with Rybchinskiy's shot from outside the box into the near corner - Oblak was there to save it. And shortly afterwards with a counterattack, Krychowiak made a brilliant through ball to Magkeev, Stas got into a good position and shot - the ball went wide.
Atletico missed their last chance in the 89th minute. Gimenez was the first on the ball after a corner, but his header went millimeters away from the post.
Lokomotiv got a draw against Atletico for the second time in a row. This was the first time our team didn’t concede a goal against Atletico in Madrid. Lokomotiv remains the only team from Russia that retaines the chances to get into the Champions League knockout stages.
Champions League. Group A. Gameweek 4
Atletico - Lokomotiv - 0:0
Atletico: Oblak, Trippier, Savic, Gimenez, Renan Lodi (Hermoso, 60), Llorente (Lemar, 60), Saul, Koke, Carrasco
(Camello, 80) Joao Felix, Correa
Lokomotiv: Guilherme, Zhivoglyadov, Corluka, Murilo, Rybus, Kulikov, Krychowiak, Ignatiev, Miranchuk (Rybchinskiy, 76), Kamano (Magkeev, 76), Ze Luis
Bookings: none
Referee: Slavko Vincic (Slovenia)
November 25, 2020. Madrid, Wanda Metropolitano Stadium
