Lokomotiv is through to the quarter-finals of the Russian Cup
In the first official match of 2021, Lokomotiv had Russian Cup, freezing temperatures, snowfall and Tambov, many of whose players saw each other for the first time on the day of the game. On February 21, the club announced six new players, while on the 20th - three.
Lokomotiv's lineup was predictable: Corluka and Pablo in the center of defence, Rybchinskiy and Rybus played as fullbacks, the three of Mukhin - Ignatiev - Krychowiak in the centre of the field and Lisakovich - Kamano - Zhemaletdinov played up front. This is how our team played at the training camp.
It was obvious that it would be difficult for a team, which gathered only on the day of the game, to oppose Lokomotiv. In the first half, Tambov didn’t have a single shot on target and only a few times they crossed over to the other side of the field. Nevertheless, they defended well.
On the other hand, Lokomotiv regularly created dangerous moments near Tambov’s goal. Already in the second minute Rybchinskiy tried to hit into the near bottom corner - Ryzhikov managed to react. In the 13th Lokomotiv opened the score. Rybchinskiy found Kamano in the box, who finished the chance at the far post, but after watching the replay the referee disallowed the goal, as Zhemaletdinov touched the ball with his hand in the build up.
But in the 22nd minute nobody could take away the goal from Lokomotiv. Rybus delivered a cross from a corner, and Pablo was first on the ball at the near post and headed the ball into the far corner.
The only negative thing about the first half was Ignatiev's injury. Vlad limped and asked for a substitution, giving way to Iosifov on the field.
Tambov started the second half with an attack, but Lokomotiv quickly pushed the opponent into his half of the field and scored the second goal. Rybchinskiy raced along the right wing and made a low cross into the box - Kamano was there to finish the chance from a close range.
After that, Tambov made a few substitutions and threatened Lokomotiv's goal several times, although they did not bother Guilherme. Our team controlled the ball and used positional attack.
In the 81st minute, Eder entered the penalty area and was preparing to shoot, but the Portuguese was knocked down, and Krychowiak confidently converted the penalty - 3:0.
Lokomotiv progressed to the quarter-finals of the Russian Cup. The next opponent will be determined by a draw. The quarter-final match will take place on March 2 or 3.
1/8 finals of Betcity Russian Cup
Lokomotiv - Tambov - 3:0 (1:0)
Goals: Pablo, 27 (1:0). Kamano, 58 (2:0). Krychowiak, 82 (pen) (3:0)
Lokomotiv: Guilherme, Rybchinskiy, Rybus, Corluka, Pablo, Mukhin, Ignatiev (Iosifov, 36), Krychowiak, Lisakovich (Eder, 73), Kamano (Kulikov, 73), Zhemaletdinov (Ageev, 86)
Tambov: Ryzhikov, Denisov, Aliev (Klimov, 62), Shakhov, Gigashvili, Karapuzov, Vasiev, Drozdov, Minaev (Merenchukov, 73), Kabakhidze (Lawrence, 76), Avanesyan (Chabanov, 62)
Bookings: none
Referee: Vladislav Bezborodov
February 21, 2021. Moscow, RZD Arena
