Lokomotiv - Zenit 0-1.

After the heavy defeat against Apollon, Leonid Kuchuk made some changes in the first XI. Ilya Abaev changed Guilherme, while on the left back returned Vitaliy Denisov. Dmitry Tarasov was substituted by Yan Tigorev. In attack, Alan Kasaev and Manuel Fernandes are out, in Aleksander Samedov and Aleksey Miranchuk. As striker there is Roman Pavlyuchenko. 

The game at Cherkizovo started with a dangerous free kick of Zenit: Hulk hit the external of the post. 

Before the half of first time, Zenit were again protagonist, but Abaev made a phenomenal save to the head of Witsel. Soon 'Railroaders' answered with the couple Miranchuk-Pavlyuchenko, but Lodygin was careful on 'SuperPav' kick. Roman then didn't profit by another great chance on Samedov cross.

The match was difficult for both sides and the last chances of first time were made by Zenit, in particular by Kerzhakov, who was dangerous with another free kick. 

In the final seconds Egorov made a mistake: instead whistling a penalty after a fault of Javi Garcia o Yan Durica, he permitted Zenit to continue the match. 

In the second half, Zenit earned a corner about at 60' and scored with Javi Garcia after a Lombaerts assist. 

Five minutes later Leonid Kuchuk made three changes: on the pitch entered Fernandes, Kasaev e Dame N'Doye. Villas-Boas, then, changed also something, with the insertions of Kerzhakov and Fayzulin. 

Five minutes before the finish of the match Zenit were dangerous again, but  AVB team reached to earn the three points.

Lokomotiv - Zenit 0:1 (0:0) 

Goals: Javi Garcia, 60.

Lokomotiv: Abaev, Shishkin, Corluka, Durica, Denisov, Tigorev, Pejcinovic Samedov, Aleksey Miranchuk (Fernandes, 68), Maicon (Kasaev, 68), Pavlyuchenko (N'Doye, 61).

Zenit: Lodygin, Criscito, Lombaerts, Smolnikov, Garay, Hulk (Rondon, 83), Shatov, Javi Garcia, Witsel (Mogilevets, 90), Danny, Kerzhakov (Fayzulin, 76).

Yellow cards: Durica, 37. Hulk, 38. Maicon, 43. Lombaerts, 48. Corluka, 58. Criscito, 89.

Referee: Aleksander Egorov (Saransk). 

August 31st. Moscow. Lokomotiv Stadium. 14.747 spectators.

Preview Lokomotiv - Zenit.

Локомотив // Зенит

Sunday, August 31st 2014

(Lokomotiv Stadium, Moscow)

16.00 Lokomotiv Moscow - Zenit Saint Petersburg 

Referee: Aleksander Egorov (Saransk).

Assistants: Sergey Sukhoverkhov (Voronezh) and Aleksey Shryaev (Stavropol').

Sub assistants: Igor' Nizovtsev (Nizhny Novgorod) and Sergey Kulikov (Saransk).
Inspector: Andrey Budogosskij (Moscow).

Precedents

1996

Zenit - Lokomotiv 1-1: 13' Zazulin; 77' Kosolapov. 

Lokomotiv - Zenit 3-1: 19' Kosolapov, 66' Kosolapov, 73' Solomatin; 90 Dimitriev. 

1998

Lokomotiv - Zenit 0-0

Zenit - Lokomotiv 2-0: 32' Panov, 68' Gorshkov. 

1998

Zenit - Lokomotiv 2-2: 6' Maksimyuk, 20' Lepekhin; 18' Loskov, 80' Kharlachev. 

Lokomotiv - Zenit 3-1: 1' Sargsyan,54' Borodyuk, 76' Chugaynov (rig.); 34' Panov. 

1999

Zenit - Lokomotiv 1-2: 18' Babiy (rig.); 66' Smertin, 70' Bulykin. 

Lokomotiv - Zenit 1-1: 73' Cherevchenko; 76' Petukhov. 

2000

Lokomotiv - Zenit 1-1: 56' Loskov (rig.); 73' Popovic. 

Zenit - Lokomotiv 1-2: 52' Ogorodnik; 31' Janashia; 64' Maminov. 

2001

Lokomotiv - Zenit 5-1: 20' Janashia, 46' James Obiora, 64' Maminov,80' Izmailov, 90' Buznikin; 12' Gorshkov. 

Zenit - Lokomotiv 0-0

2002

Zenit - Lokomotiv 1-1: 47' Arshavin; 37' Izmailov.
Lokomotiv - Zenit 2-1: 29' e 42' Evseev; 81' Spivak (rig.).
2003
Zenit - Lokomotiv 0-0
Lokomotiv - Zenit 1-2: 11' Pimenov; 41' Konoplev, 63' Kerzhakov.
2004
Zenit - Lokomotiv 0-2: 17' Sychev, 90' Pimenov.
Lokomotiv - Zenit 0-1: 89' Kerzhakov.
2005
Zenit - Lokomotiv 1-1: 81' Hartig; 72' Loskov (rig.).
Lokomotiv - Zenit 0-0
2006
Zenit - Lokomotiv 4-1: 17' Hagen, 45' Arshavin, 67' Denisov, 90' Spivak (rig.); 89' O' Connor.
Lokomotiv - Zenit 3-1: 4' D. Traoré, 9' Sychev, 89' Loskov; 90' Denisov (rig.).
2007
Zenit - Lokomotiv 1-1: 74' Anyukov; 16' Sychev.
Lokomotiv - Zenit 1-0: 51' Spahic (rig.).
2008
Zenit - Lokomotiv 1-1: 53' Dominguez; 72' Torbinskiy.
Lokomotiv - Zenit 0-3: 17' Fayzulin, 60' Puygrenier, 74' Dominguez.
2009
Zenit - Lokomotiv 1-1: 28' Fatih Tekke; 9' Wagner.
Lokomotiv - Zenit 1-1: 71' Rodolfo; 58' Kim Dong-Jin.
2010
Zenit - Lokomotiv 1-0: 53' Bystrov. 
Lokomotiv - Zenit 0-3: 17' Danny, 68' Bukharov, 77' Shirokov. 
2011
Zenit - Lokomotiv 1-1: 65' Lazovic (rig.); 68' Maicon. 
Lokomotiv - Zenit 4-2: 46' Obinna, 62' Caicedo, 77' Manuel da Costa, 88' Manuel da Costa; 8' Lazovic, 31' Bukharov. 
Zenit - Lokomotiv 2-1: 26' Danny, 31' Semak; 39' Glushakov. 
2012
Lokomotiv - Zenit 0-1: 75' Shirokov. 
Zenit - Lokomotiv 1-1: 14' Criscito; 25' N'Doye. 
2013
Lokomotiv - Zenit 0-1: 16' Fayzulin. 
Zenit - Lokomotiv 2-1: 43' Shirokov (rig.), 70' Boussoufa (rig.), 86' Zyryanov.
2014
Lokomotiv - Zenit 1-1: 36' Rondon,76' Tkachyov. 

Lokomotiv:

Absents: Logashov (injured), Yanbaev (injured).
In doubt: Sheshukov (injured). 

Rankings:

Lokomotiv: 8.

Zenit: 1.

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

Curiosities:

//.

___________________________________________________________________

After the defeat against Apollon and the elimination in Europa League, the situation at Lokomotiv Stadium is very hot.

The big-match v Zenit, in fact, arrives in a difficult moment. 'Railroaders' lost the securities of last season, while a lot of players aren't in form. Kuchuk became predictable and the team is suffering the separation with Boussoufa and Diarra, with the Moroccan that has been declared yesterday in the site of RFPL.

Kasaev in this moment is the best Loko player, while Denisov and Tigorev could return after the misadventure in Europa League. Samedov and Aleksey Miranchuk, instead, are ready to change Maicon and Fernandes, both undertone. As striker, Pavlyuchenko could start after the good performance on Thursday.

In Zenit the situation is completely different. Villas-Boas has built a top team that could fight for any sort of trophy. In this transfers window, 'Bomzhi' have signed Garay and Javi Garcia, two top players, and so far they have won all the matches in this RPL. 15 points, 17 goals scored and 2 suffered: great numbers. 

At Cherkizovo Kuchuk will decide his future. A defeat could force the society to find a new coach, while a win instead could mean a rapprochement. The match is served.

PROBABLE XI

Lokomotiv (4-2-3-1)

Guilherme
Shishkin -  Corluka - Durica - V. Denisov
Tigorev - Tarasov
Samedov - Al. Miranchuk - Kasaev

Pavlyuchenko

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

Zenit (4-3-3)

Lodygin
Anyukov - Garay - Lombaerts - Smolnikov 
Witsel - Javi Garcia - Shatov
Hulk - Rondon - Danny

Leonid Kuchuk: "I want to say sorry to Lokomotiv fans".

Leonid Kuchuk in the post-game press-conference spoke about the match against Apollon (1-4).

 - How it was and how did you live game?
- I haven't explanations. Nothing happen casually. We wanted to win. Before the first goal we had great chances, but we didn't score. Apollon reached our area and score. We had a lot of opportunities, but we didn't realize them. Samedov didn't explain himself this.

When we suffered the second, we forgot the middle of the pitch and we run in attack, and so it was easily to suffer counterattacks. And this was what happened. 

I want to say sorry to Lokomotiv fans, it's awful doing the coach in these situations. Sad birthday. 

- Can we link this defeat with the poor level of Russian football? 
- It could be any sort of result. In our league there is an high level of resistance. But I don't want to compare them. It happened what happened. We lost and I, as I believe all other players, are unpleasant with this. A lot of training, a lot of effort - and all with no result.

Lokomotiv - Apollon 1-4.

Loko have started the match immediately in attack. The first chance of Leonid Kuchuk men is for Alan Kasaev, who after the pass of Manuel Fernandes didn't beat the goalkeeper. A few later Maicon had another chance, but in the end he slipped. 

At 15' Loko could score with Oumar Niasse, but the Senegalese striker hit the post

After this opportunity, the Cypriots started attacking, but no dangerous actions were created to Guilherme door.

Some minutes later,  Apollon scored after a counterattack and a fault of Aleksander Seraskhov: Rezek have beaten head Guilherme.

'Railroaders' tried to answer and with Dmitry Tarasov they created a great opportunity, but Bruno Vale made a beautiful save on Maicon. 

The second half has immediately opened by the 0-2: Sangoy got over Vedran Corluka fastly and permitted to Papoulis to score. Loko now had to score 3 goals.

Red-greens staff decided two changes: out Niasse and Fernandes, in Roman Pavlyuchenko and Aleksey Miranchuk. 

The attack was improved, but Pavlyuchenko didn't hit the door. 

In the pitch entered also Aleksander Samedov, who took the place of Kasaev. Loko pressed Apollon in their area, but the Cypriots found also the third goal with Thuram on another counterattack. 

Five minutes before the final whistle Lopez scored the fourth on Robert assist. 

A few later Lokomotiv found the 1-4 thanks to Pavlyuchenko and Aleksey Miranchuk. 'Railroaders' are eliminated from Europa League 2014/2015.

Lokomotiv - Apollon 1:4 (0:1) 

Goals: Rezek, 20 (0:1). Papoulis, 51 (0:2). Thuram 78 (0:3). Lopez, 83 (0:4). Pavlyuchenko, 85 (1:4). 

Lokomotiv: Guilherme, Shishkin, Corluka, Durica, Seraskhov, Pejcinovic, Tarasov, Kasaev (Samedov, 67), Fernandes (Miranchuk Aleksey, 53), Maicon, Niasse (Pavlyuchenko, 53).

Apollon: Bruno Vale, Merkis, Robert, Stylianou, João Paulo, Gullon (Charalambous, 88), Meriem (Thuram, 64), Hamdani, Sangoy, Rezek, Papoulis (Lopez, 80). 

Yellow cards: Durica, 17. Merkis, 38. Stylianou, 58. Gullon, 68. Shishkin, 69. Bruno Vale, 73.

Referee: Stefan Johannesson (SWE). 

August 28th. Moscow. Lokomotiv Stadium. 6.520 spectators.

Preview Lokomotiv - Apollon.

Локомотив // АПОЛЛОН 

Thursday, August 27th 2014

(Lokomotiv Stadium, Moscow)

17.00 Lokomotiv Moscow - Apollon Limassol

Referee: Stefan Johannesson (SWE).

Assistants: Fredrik Nilsson (SWE) and Mehmet Culum (SWE).
Fourth official: Mohammed Al-Hakim (SWE).

UEFA Referee Observer: Miroslav Liba (CZE).
UEFA Delegate: Velid Imamovic (BIH).
Blog Referee Observer: ? (?).

Precedents

2014

Apollon - Lokomotiv 1-1: 39' Kasaev, 80 Guié. 

Lokomotiv:

Absents: Denisov (disqualified), Logashov (injured), Yanbaev (injured), Tigorev (disqualified).
In doubt: Sheshukov (injured).

Rankings:

Lokomotiv: //.

Apollon: //.

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

-Russia-2. Commentators: ?.

Curiosities:

//.

___________________________________________________________________

Apollon have already arrived in Moscow, where on Thursday will face Loko. The Cypriot club didn't fly with injured Guié, who scored the goal in the home match. Christakis Christoforou at the same time has again Gaston Sangoy, who is probably the best player in the team. 

In the last round of Cypriot Championship, Apollon lost 2-5 against AEK Larnaca. Goals were scored by Papoulis and Robert. Also Loko earned a defeat in Krasnodar.

Kuchuk will have some problems to resolve. First of all the absences of Tigorev and Denisov, who are disqualified. Probably Durica could be adapted as left back, with Pejcinovic in the first XI. The Belarusian midfielder, instead, could be substituted either from Mykhalyk, either from Fernandes. As usual, Kuchuk could choose the more defensive option.

Kasaev is living a very good time, while captain Guilherme couldn't miss such an important game. Tarasov hopes returning after his aches.

The match is going to start at 19.00 Moscow time and will be decisive for both teams to be qualified to Europa League groups. A defeat of 'Railroaders' could change a lot  the situation between club, players and coach.

PROBABLE XI

Lokomotiv (4-2-3-1)

Guilherme

Shishkin -  Corluka - Pejcinovic - Durica

Mykhalyk - Tarasov

Samedov - Fernandes - Kasaev

N'Doye

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

Apollon (4-2-3-1)

Bruno Vale
Mulder - Joao Paulo - Merkis - Vasiliou
Hamdani - Gullon

Papoulis - Meriem - Robert
Sangoy