Igor Cherevchenko: "I'm satisfied by the first half of season".

Igor Cherevchenko in the post-game press-conference spoke about the game against Skenderbeu (0:3), resuming it. 

- Although this wasn't an easy win, we played better than Skenderbeu. I'm satisfied by the first half of season. I thank with the players, this is their merit for their work in the camps. Both the technical staff and the guys are satisfied. We didn't follow the game between Sporting and Besiktas, I learnt the result only in the dressing room. Everything was in our hands." 

Skenderbeu - Lokomotiv 0:3.

Lokomotiv defeated Skenderbeu in the sixth week of the Europa League group stage and qualified to the next round. 

'Railroaders' flew in Albania with the conviction that everything was in their hands. Just one point was enough to qualify to the next round, however Lokomotiv pointed to the victory.  

Cherevchenko made some changes in the starting line-up relying on the unusual couple of defenders made up by Mykhalyk and Pejcinovic. 

The first opportunity was for Skenderbeu, but Berisha's shot was saved by Guilherme. Some minutes later, Niasse could have given Lokomotiv the lead, but he missed an enormous chance one-on-one Shehi. Luckily the Albanian goalkeeper could have done nothing on a Tarasov's powerful shot - 0:1.

In the second half, 'Railroaders' tried to handle the vantage, without conceding many spaces to Skenderbeu. 

Everything was decided in the last minutes, when Niasse finally scored his 13rd goal of the season and Samedov took advantage from a Skenderbeu defense's sleep. 

Lokomotiv ended the group stage at the first place thanks to the defeat of Besiktas in Lisbon against Sporting, which is the second team qualified to the 1/32. 

Europa League. Group stage. 6th round Group H

"Skenderbeu" - "Lokomotiv" - 0:3 (0:1) 

Goals: Tarasov, 18 (0:1). Niasse, 89 (0:2). Samedov, 90 (0:3)

"Skenderbeu": Shehi, Jashanica, Ademir, Radas, Abazi, Latifi (Progni, 72), Esquerdinha (Djair, 82), Lilaj, Salihi, Berisha, Olayinka 

"Lokomotiv": Guilherme, Pejčinović, Mykhalyk (Durica, 82) Denisov, Shishkin, Kasaev (Maicon, 76), Kolomeytsev, Samedov, Tarasov, N'Dinga, Niasse (Al Miranchuk, 90) 

Yellow cards: Shishkin, 5. Olayinka, 33 Samedov, 35. Tarasov, 50. Niasse, 77 

Referee: Mario Strahonya (CRO) 

10 December. Elbasan (Albania). Elbasan Stadium

Preview Skenderbeu - Lokomotiv.

   

СКЕНДЕРБЕУ // ЛОКОМОТИВ

Thursday, December 10th 2015

(Elbasan Stadium, Elbasan)

21:05 Skenderbeu Korce - Lokomotiv Moscow 

Referee: Marijo Strahonja (CRO)
Assistant Referee 1: Ivica Modrić (CRO)
Assistant Referee 2: Dario Vrabec (CRO)
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Fran Jović (CRO)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Mario Zebec (CRO)
Fourth Official: Hrvoje Radić (CRO)
UEFA Referee Observer: Ioannis Tsachilidis (GRE) 
UEFA Delegate: Targo Kaldoja (EST)

Precedents

2015

Lokomotiv - Skenderbeu 2-0: 35' Niasse, 73' Samedov.

Lokomotiv:

Absents: Corluka (disqualified).

In doubt: Shishkin (injured), Grigorjev (injured).

Rankings:

Skenderbeu: 2.
Lokomotiv: 3.

Streaming (available half an hour before the start of the match):
HERE.
-NTV. Commentators: Roman Naguchev and Kirill Dementiev.

Curiosities:

//.

___________________________________________________________________

Two months ago I said: "Don't stop this Lokomotiv". I was wrong. 'Railroaders' are in an awful form and they seriously risk to be eliminated from Europa League. It's not a coincidence, but the game against Skenderbeu will be crucial. 

The Albanian team is currently at the second place in the Super League, which is lead by Partizan Tirana. Despite the defeat against Besiktas, Josa and his men will do everything in order to gift their fans a last joy in the final game of group H. Josa should rely on a classic 4-4-2 characterized by two very good striker as Salihi and Olayinka, who is on the verge to join Belgian side Gent for around $1M. Cherevchenko should also pay attention to Berisha, who was one of the best players on the field in the first leg thanks to his speed and his dribbling. 

Lokomotiv shouldn't undervalue the opponent. That's for sure. Although 'Railroaders' need just one point to qualify to the next round, they must play for a victory. The two draws in a row against Dinamo and Ural demonstrated how the team is tired and still not ready to fight for the title. However, Loko must continue its run in Europa League. Shishkin is doubtful, but he flew in Albania with his teammates. If he can't take part in the game, Yanbaev will replace him. Corluka is disqualified and Durica should take his place. Fernandes should start instead of Kolomeytsev with Tarasov that should couple with N'Dinga. Maicon should be confirmed left winger with Kasaev, who was really disappointing against Ural, on the bench. 

Cherevchenko said: "The third place in RPL is a good result, I don't want to complain with the team. The game against Skenderbeu will be a real battle and we're ready to fight. Everything is in our hands."

Around 80 red-greens fans will support the team in Albania. Kick off at 21:05.

PROBABLE XI

Skenderbeu (4-4-2)

Shehi 
Vangjeli - Radas - Jashanica - Abazi
Latifi - Esquerdinha - Lilaj - Berisha 

Salihi - Olayinka 

--------------------------------------------------------------

Lokomotiv (4-2-3-1)

Guilherme

Shishkin -  Mykhalyk - Durica - Denisov

N'Dinga - Tarasov

Samedov - Fernandes - Maicon

Niasse

Aleksey Miranchuk has won the Young Player of the Year award.

Lokomotiv's midfielder Aleksey Miranchuk has won the Young Player of the Year award of 2015.

He took the first place with 214 votes. Zobnin (145) and Morozov (76), both from Dinamo, were respectively second and third. 

The award is based on the votes of head coaches, managers and journalists. It gives a prize to the best Russian player not older than 20 years old. 

Congratulations, Lesha! 

Igor Cherevchenko: "A draw was the right result".

Igor Cherevchenko in the post-game press-conference spoke about the game against Ural (2:2), resuming it. 

- 2:2 was the right result. It was an interesting game for fans. The goals we suffered were at the begin of the match and at the end of the first half. I thank with the guys, they didn't give up. We created good chances, but we didn't realize them. 

Now, we have to think to the next game. The match against Skenderbeu is on December 10th and will decide whether we qualify or not. We have to miss this game and to think to the one in Albania. 

- Of course, you waited many goals from Niasse this season. What do you think about the fact he's making so many assists?

- The main thing is that he brings benefit to the team. A goal is the result of a teamwork. It doesn't matter who makes the assists - it just has to bring benefits.  

Lokomotiv - Ural 2:2.

Lokomotiv earned only a point against Ural in the 18th round of the Russian Premier League.

In the last home game in 2015, Lokomotiv hosted Ural. The first minutes were really tough. The Ekaterinburg club took immediately the lead with Sapeta, who took advantage from a good cross made by Ukrainian right back Kulakov.  

'Railroaders' answered a few minutes later with Aleksey Miranchuk, who scored his third goal of the season. Everything started again with Niasse, who won a couple of contrasts in the Ural's area. 

Lokomotiv could have doubled the score, but Samedov and Niasse were stopped by Zhevnov and Fidler. Despite the good chances, the home side suffered again a goal with Manucharyan that beat Guilherme after a good Fidler's solo-action. 

The Cherevchenko's XI wanted as soon as possible to equalize the score, but Mykhalyk missed a good opportunity before the break. 

In the second half, Lokomotiv started playing more offensively, but none of the red-greens players was accurate. 

Only 10 minutes before the final whistle, Niasse scored the 2-2 with an easy tap-in. 

Lokomotiv stayed at the third place in the table and now is waited by the Thursday's game against Skenderbeu in Europa League. 

Russian Premier League. 18th round

"Lokomotiv" - "Ural" - 2:2 (1:2) 

Goals: Sapeta, 2 (0:1). Al Miranchuk, 17 (1:1). Manucharyan, 38 (1:2). Niasse, 80 (2:2)

"Lokomotiv": Guilherme, Denisov, Corluka, Mykhalyk, Yanbaev, Kolomeytsev, N'Dinga (Skuletic, 70), Samedov, Kasaev (Maicon, 65), Al Miranchuk, Niasse

"Ural": Zhevnov, Martynovich, Dantsev, Manucharyan (Burmistrov, 66), Podberyozkin (Stavpets, 82), Kulakov (Khozin, 51), Acevedo, Fontanello, Sapeta, Fidler, Emelyanov 

Yellow cards: Yanbaev, 54. Skuletic, 75 

Referee: Sergey Ivanov (Rostov-on-Don) 

4 December. Moscow. Lokomotiv Stadium

Preview Lokomotiv - Ural.

   

ЛОКОМОТИВ // УРАЛ

Friday, December 4th 2015

(Lokomotiv Stadium, Moscow)

17.00 Lokomotiv Moscow - Ural Ekaterinburg

Referee: Sergey Ivanov (Rostov-on-Don).

Assistants: Andrey Glot (Yaroslavl) and Aslan Khatuev (Groznyi).

Sub assistants: ? (?) and ? (?).

Inspector: Sergey Frantsuzov (Moscow).

Delegate: Ayvaz Kaziakhmedov (Moscow).

Precedents

1992

Lokomotiv - Uralmash 1-0: 86' Gorkov. 

Uralmash - Lokomotiv 3-1: 16' Volovodenko, 69' Andreev, 70' Shushlyakov; 90' Baturenko. 
1993

Uralmash - Lokomotiv 1-3: 43' Andreev (rig.); 42' Muhamadiev, 76' Muhamadiev, 86' Kosolapov.

Lokomotiv - Uralmash 3-0: 8' Fuzaylov, 53' Kosolapov, 70' Alenichev. 

1994

Lokomotiv - Uralmash 0-1: 70' Andreev.

Uralmash - Lokomotiv 4-4: 9' Yamlihanov, 13' Hankeev, 28' Galimov, 68' Matveev (rig.); 18' Garin, 21' Garin, 38' Tatarkin, 63' Garin. 
1995

Uralmash - Lokomotiv 1-2: 29' Perednya; 46' Smirnov, 49' Garin. 

Lokomotiv - Uralmash 0-1: 75' Bakhtin.

1996

Lokomotiv - Uralmash 5-1: 3' Snigiryov, 24' Snigiryov, 47' Snigiryov, 78' Solomatin, 84' Kharlachev; 39' Bakhtin.

Uralmash - Lokomotiv 2-1: 42' Fedotov, 53' Romashchenko; 25' Drozdov. 

2013

Ural - Lokomotiv 0-3: 5' N'Doye, 26' Tarasov, 90'+1 Diarra.

2014

Lokomotiv - Ural 3-0: 13' Belozerov (own goal), 15' N'Doye, 76' Tkachyov. 
Lokomotiv - Ural 1-0: 90' N'Doye. 

2015

Ural - Lokomotiv 2-0: 7' Mykhalyk (own goal), 60' Smolov. 
Ural - Lokomotiv 1-3: 73' Erokhin; 28' Samedov, 40' Niasse, 93' Maicon. 

Lokomotiv:

Absents: //.

In doubt: Grigorjev (injured).

Rankings:

Lokomotiv: 3.
Ural: 8.

Streaming (available half an hour before the start of the match):
HERE.
-NTV Nash Futbol. Commentators: Yuriy Rozanov.

Curiosities:

//. 

___________________________________________________________________

The goal conceded to Dinamo in the last seconds demonstrated how Lokomotiv's players haven't got the character to fight for highest tasks. In fact, 'Railroaders' weren't able to take advantage from the Zenit and Rostov's defeats, and the CSKA's draws. In the last game of the 2015, Loko is going to face Ural and it's pointless to say that a victory is crucial to continue hoping in an European spot for the next season. 

Although Ural has quite always provided solid performance so far, Skripchenko has to solve some doubts in the starting line-up. Zhevnov or the young Arapov? Kulakov or Khozin? Fidler or Emelyanov? Stavpets or Gogniev? In our opinion, the Belorussian coach will confirm the line-up that defeat Mordoviya in the last round. Lungu is still doubtful, but Podberyozkin should recover for the game. The single player who will surely miss the game is Erokhin, who got injured against CSKA and will return to play only in 2016. 

Despite the departure of Goncharenko to CSKA, Ural found in Skripchenko the right coach to continue their ambitious project. The 8th place in RPL is not a coincidence, but the result of many efforts. Ural has earned just 4 points less than a club like Zenit and is still running for a place in the top five. A victory against Lokomotiv will surely help them to close an amazing 2016. 

Lokomotiv, instead, is expected to a reaction. Again. Although Ural demonstrated to be a tough squad to face, a result different from a victory would only help to worsen the atmosphere into the team. Cherevchenko hasn't got too many alternatives, however he should make some change compared to the derby against Dinamo. Durica should replace Mykhalyk, while Shishkin could return in the starting line-up. Maicon should start too, replacing a disappointing Kasaev. 

Four weeks ago, Ural defeated Spartak in Moscow like Anzhi and we won't them to repeat this exploit. It'd be great to close the 2016 in the best way. We believe in our team. C'mon Lokomotiv. 

PROBABLE XI

 Lokomotiv (4-2-3-1)

Guilherme
Shishkin - Corluka - Durica - V. Denisov
N'Dinga - Tarasov
Samedov - Kolomeytsev - Maicon

Niasse

--------------------------------------------------------------

Ural (4-2-3-1)

Zhevnov
Kulakov - Fontanello - Martynovich - Dantsev
Sapeta - Fidler
Manucharyan - Acevedo - Podberyozkin 

Gogniev

Igor Cherevchenko: "We lost concentration in the last seconds".

Igor Cherevchenko in the post-game press-conference spoke about the game against Dinamo (2:2), resuming it. 

- We suffered a goal on a corner in the last seconds. We lost concentration. Corners are essential in modern football. After a bad first half, we changed the game, scoring two goals. 

- What did happen to Tarasov?

- He got injured. We decided to replace him with Aleksey Miranchuk, moving Kolomeytsev on his place. 

- Did the arrival of Gabulov confuse you?

- No, we don't mark one's man. 

- Kasaev hasn't recently been included in the starting line-up.

- He got injured and now he's recovering the form. The training and the rhythm in a match are two different things. We've still got two games to go, everything will be good. 

Dinamo - Lokomotiv 2:2.

Lokomotiv drew against Dinamo in the 17th round of the Russian Premier League. 

Compared to the game against Sporting, Cherevchenko decided to make some changes. Mykhalyk was confirmed as central defender together with Corluka, while Yanbaev took the place of Shishkin. 

The match started on slow rhythms and was characterized by many fights in the midfield. 'Railroaders' relied only on Niasse, while Dinamo preferred to play on counterattacks. The home side took the lead after 35 mins with Dyakov, who scored with a penalty earned by Ionov. 

Lokomotiv had immediately got a reaction, but neither N'Dinga nor Samedov were able to create dangerous chances to Gabulov. 

In the second half, the Cherevchenko's XI equalized the score after just 4 mins. Niasse made a good assist for Samedov, whose shot finished in the corner. The game became so more interesting and 'Railroaders' were the most dangerous team on the field. 

Although Maicon hit the bar with an header, the same Brazilian striker let Lokomotiv to overcome Dinamo taking advantage again from a Niasse's assist - 1:2. 

In the final seconds of the game, Dinamo equalized the score with Dyakov, who made his own double. Lokomotiv didn't took advantage from the opponents' results. Again. 

Russian Premier League. 17th round

"Dinamo" - "Lokomotiv" - 2:2 (1:0) 

Goals: Dyakov, 35 (pen.) (1:0). Samedov, 49 (1:1). Maicon, 76 (1:2). Dyakov, 93 (2:2)

"Dinamo": Gabulov, Kozlov, Hubocan, Dyakov, Morozov (Obolskij, 81), Sosnin, Tashaev, Zobnin, Zhirkov, Ionov, Pogrebnyak (Kuzmin, 65) 

"Lokomotiv": Guilherme, Denisov, Corluka, Mykhalyk, Yanbaev, Tarasov (Al Miranchuk, 46), N'Dinga, Samedov, Kasaev (Maicon, 65), Kolomeytsev, Niasse

Yellow cards: Sosnin, 12. Guilherme, 32. Zhirkov, 90.

Referee: Aleksey Eskov (Moscow) 

30 November. Arena Khimki. Khimki