Preview Lokomotiv - Skenderbeu.

  

ЛОКОМОТИВ // СКЕНДЕРБЕУ

Thursday, October 1st 2015

(Lokomotiv Stadium, Moscow)

19:00 Lokomotiv Moscow - Skenderbeu Korce 

Referee: Orel Grinfeeld (ISR)
Assistant Referee 1: Danny Krasikow (ISR)
Assistant Referee 2: Nissan Davidy (ISR) 
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Liran Liany (ISR) 
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Daniel Bar Natan (ISR) 
Fourth Official: Dvir Shimon (ISR)
UEFA Referee Observer: Manuel Enrique Mejuto González (ESP)
UEFA Delegate: Michał Listkiewicz (POL)

Precedents

No precedents in the Europa League.

Lokomotiv:

Absents: Sheshukov (injured).

In doubt: //.

Rankings:

Lokomotiv: 2.
Skenderbeu: 1.

Streaming (available half an hour before the start of the match):
HERE.
-NTV. Commentators: Aleksey Andronov.

Curiosities:

//.

___________________________________________________________________

Don't stop this Lokomotiv. This is probably what most of the fans think about the great status of form of the 'Railroaders'.

On Saturday, the Cherevchenko's XI earned a good point at Khimki Arena against CSKA and now red-greens have to play in the second match of the Europa League group stage vs Skenderbeu. 

First of all, it'd be a big mistake to undervalue the Albanian club. They are the title holders of the Super League and this season they arrived until the play-off of the Champions League, when they were defeated by Dinamo Zagreb. 

Lokomotiv has never faced an Albanian club in its history. In their last home match, 'Railroaders' were defeated 1:4 by Apollon Limassol, while Skenderbeu has won only one of its last nine away matches in the European football against Milsami (1V, 2D, 6L). This game will be the 50th one of Lokomotiv in the UEFA Cup/Europa League. Loko's record: 22 victories, 9 draws, 18 defeats.  

Skenderbeu is a very interesting team that plays the same Lokomotiv's football. They love playing on counterattacks especially in the European competitions. For instance, they played with 5 midfielders against Besiktas and in the whole game they made just only a shot to the opponent's goal. Their head coach is Mirel Josa, who prefers playing a defensive football based on fast actions. The most dangerous player is Bernard Berisha, who takes advantage especially from his speed. The Bulgarian striker Ventsislav Hristov has been a bit disappointing this season, as a consequence he should start on the bench. Skenderbeu should play with a solid 4-5-1 that can contain the Lokomotiv's attacks. Josa could also opt for a more offensive 4-4-2 with the Nigerian forward Olayinka that could take the place of Nimaga. Josa is likely to choose the starting line-up at the end of the tomorrow's training at Lokomotiv Stadium. 

Cherevchenko should confirm the line-up that defeated Sporting in Lisbon, with Fernandes that should take the place of Kolomeytsev. Although Denisov and Kasaev were subbed off during the derby against CSKA, they'll prepare at 100% the game vs Skenderbeu. Boussoufa, instead, will train together with the reserves team after his transfer to Al-Ittihad collapsed.

The game will be tough for both sides. Furthermore, Takaj (Skenderbeu chairman) promised €100000 to his team for a positive result in Moscow against Loko. This surely make the match more interesting. Kick off at 19:00.

PROBABLE XI

Lokomotiv (4-2-3-1)

Guilherme

Shishkin -  Corluka - Pejcinovic - Denisov

N'Dinga - Tarasov

Samedov - Fernandes - Kasaev

Niasse

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

Skenderbeu (4-5-1)

Shehi 
Vangjeli - Jashanica - Radas - Arapi
Nimaga - Lilaj - Berisha - Shkembi - Latifi

Salihi

Igor Cherevchenko: "The result corresponds to the match".

Igor Cherevchenko in the post-game press-conference spoke about the game against CSKA (1:1), resuming it. 

"The result corresponds to the match. It's natural. In the second half, CSKA kept more the possession, but excluding the Tosic's free kick, they didn't create any dangerous chance. I thank the guys for how they played. They're very professional and real men. Did we play two different times? Denisov got injured and also Kasaev and Corluka had a few problems. Why was I sent off? You have to ask it to the referee." 

CSKA - Lokomotiv 1:1.

Lokomotiv drew against CSKA in the 10th round of the Russian Premier League. 

The central match of the week 10th was characterized by a good attendance, in particular the two sectors of Lokomotiv fans at Khimki Arena were almost full of people. 

Regarding the starting line-ups, there wasn't any big surprise. Corluka played his 100th match for Lokomotiv, while Durica returned being on the bench after the long injury. 

The game started on high levels and only after 10 minutes, 'Railroaders' could have taken the lead with Alan Kasaev, but Akinfeev made a good save. 

Five minutes later, CSKA answered with Panchenko, who earned a doubtful penalty that was scored by Doumbia. However, Lokomotiv didn't give up and thanks to another penalty (earned by Kolomeytsev), they were able to draw the score with Niasse. 

During the first half, Lokomotiv was the most dangerous team on the field, in particular Niasse could have scored the goal of 1:2 with an amazing action, but Akinfeev saved again CSKA in the end. 

In the second half, Loko tried more to keep the possession and the 1:1. Guilherme played a wonderful match and many times he saved Lokomotiv from the defeat, first from Tosic and then from Doumbia. 

Ten minutes before the final whistle, Karasev sent off Corluka after the Croatian defender protested for a not whistled foul. As a consequence, Mykhalyk replaced Niasse and Lokomotiv played again more defensively. 

However, Lokomotiv defended well the draw and despite everything, 'Railroaders' will stay at the second place in the RPL table. 

Russian Premier League. Week 10th

CSKA - "Lokomotiv" - 1:1 (1:1) 

Goals: Doumbia, 16 (pen.) (1:0). Niasse, 21 (pen.) (1:1)

CSKA: Akinfeev, Wernbloom, Ignashevich, A. Berezutski, Tosic, Panchenko (Eremenko, 74), Dzagoev, Nababkin, Musa, Schennikov (Milanov, 84), Doumbia 

"Lokomotiv": Guilherme, Corluka, Pejčinović, Denisov (Logashov, 74 ), Shishkin, Tarasov, N'Dinga, Samedov, Kasaev (Maicon, 77), Kolomeytsev, Niasse (Mykhalyk, 84) 

Yellow cards: Dzagoev, 37. Denisov, 58. Corluka, 65 Tosic, 80 

Red card: Corluka, 82

Referee: Sergey Karasev (Moscow) 

26 September. Khimki. "Arena Khimki".

Preview CSKA - Lokomotiv.

 

ЦСКА // ЛОКОМОТИВ

Saturday, September 26th 2015

(Khimki Arena, Moscow)

13.00 CSKA Moscow - Lokomotiv Moscow

Referee: Sergey Karasev (Moscow).

Assistants: Tikhon Kalugin (Moscow) and Anon Averyanov (Moscow).

Sub assistants: ? (?) and ? (?).

Inspector: Yuriy Baskakov (Moscow).

Delegate: Boris Pronin (Moscow).

Precedents

1992
CSKA - Lokomotiv 1-1: 78' Krutov (pen.); 83' Muhamadiev. 
Lokomotiv - CSKA 0-0

1993

Lokomotiv - CSKA 2-0: 7' Muhamadiev, 56' Podpaliy (pen.).

CSKA - Lokomotiv 3-1: 27' Masalitin,52' Grishin, 70' Sergeev; 55' Veselov. 

1994

CSKA - Lokomotiv 1-2: 74' Antonovic; 26' Garin, 49' Garin. 
Lokomotiv - CSKA 1-0: 30' Elyshev. 

1995
Lokomotiv - CSKA 0-1: 52' Karsakov. 
CSKA - Lokomotiv 0-1: 6' Kharlachev. 
1996

CSKA - Lokomotiv 1-3: 31' Semak; 43' Smirnov, 51' Oganesyan, 54' Elyshev. 
Lokomotiv - CSKA 1-2: 57' Veselov; 55' Leonidas, 63' Gerasimov. 

1997
CSKA - Lokomotiv 1-2: 62' Saviliev; 44' Borodyuk, 81' Janashia. 
Lokomotiv - CSKA 1-3: 82' Janashia; 20' Semak, 53' Semak, 89' Gerasimov. 

1998

Lokomotiv - CSKA 2-1: 25' Lavryk, 53' Janashia; 88' Kulik. 

CSKA - Lokomotiv 0-1: 82' Garas. 

1999

CSKA - Lokomotiv 1-0: 77' Shishkin.
Lokomotiv - CSKA 1-0: 42' Chugaynov. 

2000

CSKA - Lokomotiv 2-1: 14' Semak, 75' Marek Holly;1' Loskov.  

Lokomotiv - CSKA 3-2: 56' Izmailov, 85' Evsikov, 89' Kornaukhov; 10' Randzhelkovic, 22' Monarev. 

2001

CSKA - Lokomotiv 2-0: 14' Yanovskiy, 36' Jarosik.
Lokomotiv - CSKA 1-3: 76' Ashvetia; 19' Yanovskiy, 24' D. Popov, 63' Gusev (pen.).

2002
CSKA - Lokomotiv 0-1: 57' Loskov.
Lokomotiv - CSKA 0-0
2002 - TITLE PLAY-OFF
CSKA - Lokomotiv 0-1: 6' Loskov (pen.).
2003
CSKA - Lokomotiv 2-0: 14' Yanovskiy, 36' Jarosik.
Lokomotiv - CSKA 1-3: 76' Ashvetia; 19' Yanovskiy, 24' D. Popov, 63' Gusev (pen.).
2004
CSKA - Lokomotiv 0-1: 73' Loskov.
Lokomotiv - CSKA 1-0: 55' Khokhlov.
2005
CSKA - Lokomotiv 0-0
Lokomotiv - CSKA 3-2: 14' Khokhlov, 40' Sychev, 89' Pashinin; 17' V. Berezutskiy, 59' Olic.
2006
CSKA - Lokomotiv 1-2: 36' Dudu Cearense; 20' Sychev, 39' Izmailov.
Lokomotiv - CSKA 3-2: 23' Sychev, 48' O' Connor, 83' Ivanovic; 27' Gusev, 34' Jo.
2007
CSKA - Lokomotiv 2-0: 1' Ramón, 83' Vágner Love.
Lokomotiv - CSKA 1-2: 59' Ivanovic; 44' e 48' Vágner Love.
2008
CSKA - Lokomotiv 0-0
Lokomotiv - CSKA 0-2: 22' Dzagoev, 69' Zhirkov.
2009

Lokomotiv - CSKA 0-1: 57' Necid.

CSKA - Lokomotiv 2-1: 43' Bilyaletdinov, 90' Sychev; 60' Dzagoev.

2010

CSKA - Lokomotiv 1-1: 7' Guilherme; 89' Kuzmin.
Lokomotiv - CSKA 1-0: 25' Maicon.

2011
CSKA - Lokomotiv 3-1: 13' Doumbia, 36' Tosic, 58' Doumbia; 30' Durica.
Lokomotiv - CSKA 1-1: 11' Ignatjev; 64' Doumbia.

2012
CSKA - Lokomotiv 0-2: 10' Caicedo; 34' Pavlyuchenko.
Lokomotiv - CSKA 0-3: 9' Doumbia (pen.), 78' Tosic, 88' Tosic.

CSKA - Lokomotiv 2-1: 29' R. Elm, 92' Wernbloom; 34' Eschenko.

2013

Lokomotiv - CSKA 1-4: 55' Tarasov; 6' Vagner Love, 26' Musa, 43' Vagner Love, 74' Doumbia.

Lokomotiv - CSKA 1-2: 18' Honda, 75' Tarasov, 82'  Musa.

CSKA - Lokomotiv 1-0: 47' Tosic.
2014
CSKA - Lokomotiv 1-0: 33' Musa.

2015

Lokomotiv - CSKA 1-3: 37' Niasse; 35' Dzagoev, 56' Tosic, 68' Natkho (pen.).

Lokomotiv:

Absents: Durica (injured), Sheshukov (injured). 
In doubt: Boussoufa.

Rankings:

CSKA: 1.
Lokomotiv: 2.

Streaming (available half an hour before the start of the match):
HERE.
-NTV Nash Futbol. Commentators: Yuriy Rozanov.
-Russia 2. Commentators: Vladimir Stognienko.

Curiosities:

//.

___________________________________________________________________

The game of the year: Lokomotiv and CSKA will declare the future of the Russian Premier League.

CSKA have had a very good season so far, especially in RPL. The Slutsky's XI qualified to the Champions League group stage and despite the defeat against Wolfsburg, they've got good chances to reach the 1/8. In RPL, instead, they won 8 matches on 9, drawing only against Zenit. In the Russian Cup, they defeated Baykal in the additional times thanks to Cauna and Panchenko. 

However, Slutsky should face a big problem for the most important game of the season. Mario Fernandes was sent off in the mad game against Mordoviya and so he'll miss the derby at Khimki Arena. The Brazilian defender should be replaced by Nababkin. Slutsky should confirm the starting line-up that made an incredible vamp in Saransk without changes a part of Fernandes. 

Cherevchenko's XI, instead, arrived from the away match in Armavir. The training at Cherkizovo brought many news to the Lokomotiv fans. Durica has officially returned training with the main team, while Boussoufa returned in Bakovka after his move to Al-Ittihad collapsed. The Tajik coach is likely to start with the same line-up of the game against Krylya but with two changes: in our opinion, Kolomeytsev should replace Fernandes that played a whole match in Armavir, while Niasse should take the place of Skuletic. At the same time, our captain Vedran Corluka could play his 100th match for Lokomotiv.

Furthermore, both Cherevchenko and Samedov shared their feelings for the derby. Cherevchenko said: "The team is made up by 23 players and all of them can play against CSKA. Boussoufa? No comment. CSKA? I didn't notice any weak point in them. We want to win independently by the opponent. Our task is to win each match in each competition." Samedov, instead, affirmed: "I think we've got the strength to beat CSKA. We need a good physical preparation and to move on the pitch. We'll do everything to beat CSKA. I saw their game in Saransk and they played a fantastic match." 

Many stars of the Russian football tried giving their opinion about this crucial derby. Former Lokomotiv midfielder Evgeniy Kharlachyov joked about it: "If there was a price for the most lucky team, CSKA would be prized. A part of that, I think Lokomotiv will win 0:2." Ruslan Nigmatullin, instead, bet on a draw: "The next game will be a great test-match for Cherevchenko." Igor' Chugaynov stated: "This game will be more important for Lokomotiv than for CSKA. I think 'Railroaders' could win 1:2. Doumbia and Niasse will score." Also former Lokomotiv head coach Anatoliy Byshovets spent good words in favor of the red-greens: "I think Lokomotiv will win 1:2."

Generally speaking, this derby can be considered the most important game since the start of the RPL. Both teams started well the season and play a good football, they're ready to do their best in order to win the title. 

Meanwhile, a sold-out is waited at Khimki Arena. Around 2 500 Lokomotiv should support the team there. It'll be cool. 

PROBABLE XI

CSKA (4-2-3-1)

Akinfeev
Nababkin - Ignashevich - V. Berezutski - Schennikov
Wernbloom - Dzagoev
Tosic - Eremenko - Musa

Doumbia

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

 Lokomotiv (4-2-3-1)

Guilherme
Shishkin - Corluka - Pejcinovic - Denisov
 N'Dinga - Tarasov 
Samedov - Kolomeytsev - Kasaev

Niasse

Igor Cherevchenko: "After the victory, we can recover more fastly".

Igor Cherevchenko in the post-game press-conference spoke about the game against Torpedo (0:1), resuming it. 

- It was a tough game. We spent many energies, however we return home with a victory and so we can recover more fastly. Torpedo is a very disciplined team that played its game with dedication. I think they don't merit their current position in the FNL. 

Did we check the reserves? We don't have any reserve player. Each player can help the team and can play the next match. The same Barinov has been training with the team for a year. Everyone is a part of the team. 

Torpedo Armavir - Lokomotiv 0:1.

Lokomotiv defeated Torpedo Armavir in the 1/16 of the Russian Cup and qualified for the next round. 

Lokomotiv arrived yesterday in Armavir and today it seemed to be in a typical summer day: the maximum temperature was of 35°. The Yunost Stadium was sold out and therefore all the 3 100 seats were full of people. 

The technical staff decided to make a bit of turnover. As a consequence, Guilherme, Corluka, Denisov, Tarasov, Samedov and Niasse stayed in Moscow. Dmitry Barinov, instead, made his debut in the starting line-up for Lokomotiv.

'Railroaders' started the match trying the control the ball possession. The most dangerous players were Maicon and Skuletic, who tried to took advantage from his mighty body. At the same time, Abaev was involved in some Torpedo attacks, but the former Volga goalkeeper was very careful. In particular, we must underline a good intervention of Mykhalyk, who take off a ball from the goal line. 

In the second half, Lokomotiv played more aggressively. Therefore, 'Railroaders' became more active thanks to Fernandes and also hit the post with Pejcinovic. 

A few minutes before the final whistle, Skuletic scored with a good header after a corner kicked by Fernandes. 

Lokomotiv qualified for the 1/8 of the Russian Cup and will face the winning team between Spartak Nalchik and Amkar Perm'. 

Russian Cup. 1/16

"Torpedo" (Armavir) - "Lokomotiv" - 0:1 (0:0) 

Goal: Skuletic, 78

"Torpedo": Revjakin, Voronkin, Jarkava, Chezhiya, Dugalic (Khurtsidze, 59), Stepanov, Abu Zaid (Aleksanyan, 87), Paderin (Ryzhov, 70), Bougouhi, Tsarikaev, Arziani. 

"Lokomotiv": Abaev, Yanbaev, Mykhalyk, Logashov, Shishkin (Pejčinović, 57), N'Dinga (Al Miranchuk, 72), Barinov (Kolomeytsev, 61), Grigorjev, Maicon, Fernandes, Skuletic.

Yellow cards: Voronkin, 25. Skuletic, 45. 

Referee: Nikolay Voloshin (Smolensk) 

23 September. Armavir. Yunost Stadium.

Preview Torpedo Armavir - Lokomotiv.

 

ТОРПЕДО АРМАВИР // ЛОКОМОТИВ

Wednesday, September 23rd 2015

(Yunost Stadium, Armavir)

14.30 Torpedo Armavir - Lokomotiv Moscow

Referee: Nikolay Voloshin (Smolensk).

Assistants: Rashid Abusuev (Saint Petersburg) and Egor Bolkhovitin (Saint Petersburg Oblast').

Sub assistants: ? (?) and ? (?).

Inspector: Nikolay Ivanov (Saint Petersburg).

Precedents

2012

Torpedo Armavir - Lokomotiv 0-3: 38' Sychev, 64' Caicedo, 73' Sychev. 

Lokomotiv:

Absents: Durica (injured), Sheshukov (injured).

In doubt: //.

Rankings:

Torpedo Armavir: 18 (in FNL).

Lokomotiv: 2 (in RPL).

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

Curiosities:

//.

___________________________________________________________________

The second force in the RPL, Lokomotiv, will face the next to last force in the FNL, Torpedo Armavir. This is not a joke, but the truth. 

'Railroaders' arrived in Armavir today where they'll play against the Karpin's XI one of the most fascinating matches of the 1/16 of the Russian Cup. This summer the head of the city of Armavir decided to invest much money on the local team and thanks to the help of Oleg Mkrtchyan (former Kuban' Krasnodar general director) his dream came true. 

During the last transfers window many new player arrived on the left back of the Kuban River after the promotion from the Vtoroj Divizion to the FNL. Most of them are young talents that accepted the challenge to prove their value in the league and mostly to be coached by a guru like Valery Karpin.

After the disappointing adventure in Spain with Mallorca, Karpin was intrigued by the big project of Torpedo and therefore he was convinced to signed for the club thanks to many factors like the good climate in the Krasnodar Krai or the intention of the leadership to bring the club to the RPL in the next years. The former Spartak's head coach was able to sign many interesting players that make Torpedo a funny side to watch. 

They've signed the young Revyakin from CSKA and Komarov from Volga, constituting a strong goalkeeping line for the FNL season. At the same time, thanks to Mkrtchyan many players from Armenian League came to Armavir or better returned to Russia like Piliev and Geperidze. Bye the way, both are former Lokomotiv players. The most interesting arrival is Bougouhi, a striker from Ivory Coast that made the fortune of Shirak in Armenia. However, the biggest talents to watch are the defender Makhamanov (1996), the midfielder Buranov (1996) and the striker Isaev (1998): all of them have already made their debut in the FNL. Torpedo signed also the expert defender Miroshnichenko from Anzhi and Ryzhov from Yenisei. Furthermore, Cherevchenko should also pay attention to a very dangerous player like Arziani, who played in RPL for Anzhi and Volga and returned in Russia after only a season in Hungary. 

Torpedo have started not so well the season. After drawing 0:0 all the first five matches, they earned the first three points only after 8 weeks against Sibir. This has been the only victory of the Armavir club this season so far, excluding the success in the 1/32 of the Russian Cup against SKA Rostov. They drew 0:0 their last home game against KAMAZ. 

Lokomotiv arrive from the victory vs Krylya and with a good 2nd place in the RPL table. Cherevchenko should make some turn over in order to prepare the big match of Saturday against CSKA. One between Abaev and Kochenkov should replace Guilherme, while Denisov and Pejcinovic could take a break in the defense. Mykhalyk is likely to change N'Dinga in the starting line-up as well as Grigorjev with Samedov. Maicon, Miranchuk and Skuletic should be preferred to Kasaev, Fernandes and Niasse. Kolomeytsev (who is having a great season), instead, should be confirmed in the first XI after Tarasov was subbed off on Sunday for a small physical problem. 

The game will be both fascinating and difficult. We know that Lokomotiv is not able to impose itself against the smaller clubs. Furthermore, we're sure that it'd be a pleasure for Karpin to defeat one of the strongest opponents of Spartak. The game will be played at the small Yunost Stadium and it's expected a sold out.

PROBABLE XI

Torpedo Armavir (4-3-3)

Komarov 
Morozov - Dugalic - Stepanov - Jarkava 
 Khurtsidze - Abu Zaid - Aleksanyan 
Geperidze - Bougouhi - Arziani 

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

Lokomotiv (4-2-3-1)

Abaev
Shishkin - Corluka - Logashov - Yanbaev
Mykhalyk - Kolomeytsev
Grigorjev - Aleksey Miranchuk - Maicon
Skuletic