Preview Lokomotiv - Rostov.

  

ЛОКОМОТИВ // РОСТОВ

Monday, October 26th 2015

(Lokomotiv Stadium, Moscow)

17.30 Lokomotiv Moscow - Rostov

Referee: Mikhail Vilkov (Nizhny Novgorod).

Assistants: Vladimir Minevich (Smolensk) and Rashid Abusuev (Saint-Petersburg).

Sub assistants: ? (?) and ? (?).
Inspector: Sergey Zuev (Moscow).
Delegate: Sergey Kochetov (Nizhny Novgorod).

Precedents

1992
Rostov - Lokomotiv 0-1: 37 Smirnov.
Lokomotiv - Rostov 1-0: 84' Podpaliy (rig.). 
1993
Rostov - Lokomotiv 1-3: 15' Gubaz; 23' Alenichev, 69' Smirnov, 84' Smirnov. 
Lokomotiv - Rostov 5-2: 4' Petrov, 9' Smirnov, 24' Podpaliy, 71' Garin, 81' Podpaliy; 7' Sanko, 46' Spanderashvili. 
1995
Lokomotiv - Rostov 2-1: 38' Kosolapov (rig.), 75' Kharlachev; 69' Maslov. 
Rostov - Lokomotiv 0-2: 21' Kosolapov, 88' Garin. 
1996
Lokomotiv - Rostov 2-1: 53' Elyshev, 58' Chugaynov; 83' Nechay. 
Rostov - Lokomotiv 0-2: 20' Garin, 90' Snigirev. 
1997
Rostov - Lokomotiv 2-2: 45' Maslov (rig.), 78' Oreshuk; 44' Loskov, 60' Kosolapov. 
Lokomotiv - Rostov 2-1: 50' Kosolapov, 89' Maminov; 10' Hankeev. 
1998
Lokomotiv - Rostov 1-1: 4' Oganesyan; 86' Kirichenko. 
Rostov - Lokomotiv 2-2: 35' Kirichenko, 38' Prudius; 37' Janashia, 55' Bulykin. 
1999
Rostov - Lokomotiv 1-1: 55' Kirichenko; 13' Kharlachev.
Lokomotiv - Rostov 3-0: 25' Loskov, 87' Maminov, 90' Pimenov. 
2000
Rostov - Lokomotiv 0-0
Lokomotiv - Rostov 3-0: 14' Terekhin, 22' Loskov (rig.), 33' Janashia. 
2001
Rostov - Lokomotiv 0-0
Lokomotiv - Rostov 0-0
2002
Lokomotiv - Rostov 3-0: 50' Loskov, 54' Da Silva, 87' Loskov (rig.).
Rostov - Lokomotiv 2-3: 23' Kirichenko, 39' Demenko; 29' Izmailov, 45' Obiorah, 66' Loskov (rig.).
2003
Lokomotiv - Rostov 0-0
Rostov - Lokomotiv 1-1: 77' Osinov; 15' Maminov.
2004
Lokomotiv - Rostov 1-1: 79' Sychev; 35' Kruščić.
Rostov - Lokomotiv 1-2: 90' Osinov (rig.); 10' e 60' Sychev.
2005
Lokomotiv - Rostov 4-0: 50' Evseev, 60' e 68' Loskov, 85' Khokhlov.
Rostov - Lokomotiv 1-1: 24' Osinov; 82' Sennikov.
2006
Lokomotiv - Rostov 1-0: 49' D. Traoré.
Rostov - Lokomotiv 1-2: 4' Gogniev; 73' D. Traoré, 84' Celsinho.
2007
Lokomotiv - Rostov 2-0: 36' Gurenko, 76' Sychev.
Rostov - Lokomotiv 0-2: 40' Odemwingie (rig.), 66' Sychev.
2009
Rostov - Lokomotiv 1-1: 39' B. Petrović; 90'+2 Glushakov.
Lokomotiv - Rostov 2-0: 41' Bilyaletdinov, 86' Sychev.
2010
Lokomotiv - Rostov 0-1: 35' Valikaev. 
Rostov - Lokomotiv 1-1: 59' Blatnjak; 53' Sychev, 61' Rodolfo. 
2011
Lokomotiv - Rostov 1-1: 83' M.Grigorjev; 74' Ignatjev. 
Rostov - Lokomotiv 0-3: 8' Loskov, 56' Sychev (rig.), 81' Tarasov.
2012
Rostov - Lokomotiv 0-0
2013
Lokomotiv - Rostov 3-1: 20' N'Doye, 83' Caicedo, 89' Torbinskiy; 29' Kalachev. 
Lokomotiv - Rostov 5-0: 45' Caicedo, 54' Samedov (rig.), 58' Maicon, 62' Tarasov, 83' Pavlyuchenko.
2014
Rostov - Lokomotiv 2-0: 18' Dyakov, 68' Kalachev.
Lokomotiv - Rostov 2-1: 5' Kasaev, 21' Samedov; 72' Poloz. 
2015
Rostov - Lokomotiv 0-1: 64' Skuletic. 

Lokomotiv:

Absents: Pejcinovic (injured), Sheshukov (injured), Tarasov (injured).

In doubt: //. 

Rankings:

Lokomotiv: 2.
Rostov: 4.

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

Curiosities:

//.

___________________________________________________________________

The draw against Besiktas stopped a series of 4 wins in a row for Lokomotiv, who now have to face Rostov in the Monday night of the Russian Premier League. 

Rostov can be considered without any doubt one of the most surprising teams of the season. Thanks to Kurban Berdyev, the 'Selmashi' made a big step forward that let them to return fighting for an European spot as happened under Bozovic. 

In this moment, Rostov are ranked fourth, which is the last place that qualify for the Europa League 2016/17. A victory against Lokomotiv would guarantee them a great confidence. In particular, we should underline the great job done by Berdyev, who first saved Rostov from the relegation last season and then helped them to return to the elite of Russian football. 

No wonder when some Russian journalists compared Rostov to Lokomotiv. The 'Selmashi' usually play a pragmatic football characterized by a solid defense and many good counterattacks. The squad is made up by some players that made their fortune thanks to the former Rubin head coach: Cesar Navas, Noboa, Bukharov. Furthermore, the team can also rely on a bunch of good players like Gatskan, Kanga and Kalachev. We shouldn't forget Mogilevets and Poloz, both are two good talents and soon they could join a Russian top tier. 

Here we are with the latest news. On the one hand, Cesar Navas will miss the match after he received his 4th yellow card of the season against Mordoviya. On the other hand, Gatskan has recovered from his injury and he's ready to take part in the game. 

Kalachev said: "Lokomotiv have played a very good football so far. It's always difficult to face them in Moscow. They've got many strong players. Furthermore, in this moment they are the second force of the Russian Premier League and they have also provided very good performance in the Europa League. Everything will depend from us. We'll do our best."

Lokomotiv, instead, can't rely again on Pejcinovic and Tarasov. They were replaced by Mykhalyk and Kolomeytsev against Besiktas and we think Cherevchenko will confirm them. The only changes can concern the attack's group. The Tajik coach should give Niasse some rest, while Kasaev and Miranchuk could take the place of Maicon and Fernandes. 

If you ask us, this game will be tougher than the one against Besiktas. Rostov can really make in trouble Lokomotiv with the Berdyev's tactics. We should only hope Cherevchenko has better prepared the game. 

PROBABLE XI

Lokomotiv (4-2-3-1)

Guilherme

Shishkin - Corluka - Durica - Denisov

N'Dinga - Mykhalyk

Samedov - Al Miranchuk - Kasaev

Skuletic

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

 Rostov (4-2-3-1)

Dzhanaev 
Margasov - Bastos - Novoseltsev - Terentjev 
Gatskan -  Mogilevets 
Kalachev - Noboa - Poloz
Bukharov

The Cherkizovo Report: Lokomotiv 1 Besiktas 1

Euro nights returned to Cherkizovo and Lokomotiv picked up a precious point that kept them at the top of Group H as 10 men held on against Besiktas on a chilly Moscow evening.

It has to be said that the support tonight was fantastic as 19,000 were on hand including a sea of Turks in the North Stand menacingly clad in black. Loko had to close 300 seats and display a 'No To Racism' banner as punishment for racist chants against Skenderbeu. As it turned out, this banner was located in my sector, 5 upper, and had no effect on my seat or attendance.

"No To Racsim"

Cherevchenko, the only Loko player to ever score against Besiktas before tonight, made three changes from Sunday's huge win over Spartak. The injured pair of Tarasov and Pejcinovic were replaced by Mykhalyk and former Besiktas man Fernandes, plus Maicon was chosen over Kasaev. Ex-Turkish national team coach Senol Gunes named former Stuttgart (and Bayern, but I support Stuttgart!) striker Mario Gomez and the aging but agile Portuguese superstar Ricardo Quaresma to his starting eleven.

As the players were coming out of the tunnels, all the fans shined the lights from their phones or flashlights in unison which beautifully illuminated the stadium before kickoff.

The first half was played cautiously to say the least as both squads appeared to want to play their defenders back to avoid any counter-attacking, so few if any real chances were created.

Things picked up tremendously in the second half, however. Loko opened the period with a flurry of attempts. The whole crowd sensed it was building up to something and their presumptions rang true in the 53rd minute when the particularly dangerous Niasse found Maicon at the mouth of the goal and he swiped the ball past both defender and keeper to give the red and green a deserved lead.

A chance or two to double the lead were missed and we were punished by the Istanbul men shortly after. In the 64th minute, Mario Gomez got the ball at the top of the box and moved right where he was cut off by Denisov, but Kolomeytsev over-committed right too, allowing Gomez to slip left and drill a shot past Guilherme who didn't even see it coming and stood motionless.

In the 69th minute, all hell broke loose as a hard tackle escalated quickly and players from both teams engaged in a pushing and shoving episode that resulted in a red card for Corluka. A necessary defensive substitution then came with Djurica, making his first appearance since an injury against Torpedo in April, coming on for Fernandes. Welcome back, Jan! Kasaev also came on for Maicon and Grigorev replaced Niasse.

Despite being down to ten and without our defensive rock in the middle, Loko saw out the last 20 minutes with ease allowing Besiktas few opportunities and even looked dangerous on the wings, though no support coming down the middle of the field meant it was just a time wasting exercise. Gunes even remarked after the match that we were better with ten men.

This gutsy performance kept us top of Group H at the halfway point of the campaign with 7 points. Besiktas has 5, Sporting 4, and Skenderbeu 0 after Lisbon thrashed the Albanians 5-1. Playing around with some group permutations, I found that if all three top teams defeat Skenderbeu again, we only need one point at Besiktas to advance to the round of 32. A loss there and a point against Sporting would make a three-way tie with 11 points the worst-case scenario. So we're still sitting pretty, but there's a lot of hard work yet to come.

New Group H scarf

Andy Tedrick

Igor Cherevchenko: "I enjoyed how the guys fought until the end".

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

- I enjoyed how the guys fought until the end and wanted to win after the red card. It'll be difficult without Corluka, but we've recovered Durica. The game in Istanbul will show everything. 

- How can you value the Corluka's red card? 

- I don't want to judge the referee's decisions. However, if you send off Corluka, you should do the same with the Besiktas player. I also think that the yellow card given to Gomez for the foul on Samedov should have been a red card. 

- Value the performance of the players that replaced Pejcinovic and Tarasov. 

- We've got a wide range of players. Each of them could be in the line-up.

- It seemed that Lokomotiv approached seriously the game.  

- At the start of the match, we planned to wait our opponent. Then, after the break, we noticed that Besiktas had many free spaces and so we decided with the players to be more offensive. 

- How is situation in the group? 

- I don't like guessing it. Three teams can qualify to the next round. The next three matches could radically change the current situation. 

Lokomotiv - Besiktas 1:1.

Lokomotiv drew against Besiktas in the third round of the Europa League's group stage. 

Before the game, Besiktas' head coach Senol Gunes said: "I hope the match will warm the city." It happened: the game carried many fans at the Stadium, who supported very well the players on the field. 

Cherevchenko had to face some problems in the starting line-up. In particular, Tarasov (injured) was replaced by Kolomeytsev, while Mykhalyk took the place of Pejcinovic. We need to say that the former Amkar's midfielder was the best on the pitch, providing a very solid performance. 

The first half was balanced. Both squads tried being careful. However, as the home side, Lokomotiv were the most dangerous team. First N'Dinga and then Niasse could have opened the score. Besiktas, instead, relied on Ozyakup and Gomez in their attacks. 

Thanks to the support of the fans, Lokomotiv started very well the second half. Zengin made a good save on a Samedov's shot, while Niasse had much more spaces where to attack. 

As a consequence, after 54 minutes 'Railroaders' took the lead. Niasse found well Maicon in the area, with the Brazilian striker that beat the Besiktas' goalkeeper with a good shot.

Ten minutes later, Gomez score the 1:1 with an accurate shot. After the draw, Corluka was sent off for argument with a Besiktas' player. Many other players were booked too. Therefore, Cherevchenko was forced to include another defender on the pitch. The Tajik head coach went for Durica, who replaced Fernandes making his first appearance since April. 

At the end of the game, Besiktas were surely more dangerous, but Lokomotiv defended very well the result. The homeward match will be on November 5th in Istanbul. 

Europa League. Group stage. Third round

"Lokomotiv" - "Besiktas" - 1:1 (0:0) 

Goals: Maicon, 54 (1:0). Gomez, 64 (1:1)

"Lokomotiv": Guilherme, Fernandes (Durica, 73), Maicon (Kasaev, 79), Corluka, Mykhalyk, Kolomeytsev, Samedov, Niasse (Grigorjev, 87), Denisov, Shishkin, N'Dinga 

"Besiktas": Zengin, Köybaşı, Sosa (Uysal, 57), Tore (Tosun, 65), Hutchinson, Ozyakup, Quaresma (Frei, 87), Gulum, Beck, Gomez, Rodolfo 

Yellow cards: N'Dinga, 44. Köybaşı, 66. Niasse, 69. Ozyakup, 69. Samedov, 69. Guilherme, 69. Gomez, 82 

Red card: Corluka, 69 

Referee: Serge Gumienny (Belgium) 

22 October. Moscow. Lokomotiv Stadium. 

Preview Lokomotiv - Besiktas.

  

ЛОКОМОТИВ // БЕШИКТАШ

Thursday, October 22nd 2015

(Lokomotiv Stadium, Moscow)

19:00 Lokomotiv Moscow - Besiktas

Referee: Serge Gumienny (BEL)
Assistant Referee 1: Jimmy Cremers (BEL) 
Assistant Referee 2: Thibaud Nijssen (BEL) 
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Bart Vertenten (BEL)
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Wim Smet (BEL) 
Fourth Official: Dirk Gilon (BEL) 
UEFA Referee Observer:Aleh Chykun (BLR)
UEFA Delegate: Virgar Hvidbro (FRO)

Precedents

No precedents in the Europa League.

Lokomotiv:

Absents: Pejcinovic (injured), Sheshukov (injured), Tarasov (injured).

In doubt: //. 

Rankings:

Lokomotiv: 2 (in RPL).
Besiktas: 1 (in the Super Lig).

Streaming (available half an hour before the start of the match):
HERE.
-NTV. Commentators: Vladislav Baturin and Elvin Kerimov.

Curiosities:

//.

___________________________________________________________________

Lokomotiv are going to face Besiktas in the third round of the Europa League's group stage in a very good mood after the exciting victory against Spartak. 

Lokomotiv and Besiktas have met each other only in the third preliminary round of the Champions League 2000/2001. The Turkish club won both matches: 3:0 in Istanbul and 1:3 in Moscow. The only goal of Lokomotiv was scored by the current head coach Igor' Cherevchenko. 

Lokomotiv's record against Turkish teams: 6 games | 2V, 1D, 3L (home - 1V, 0D, 2L; away - 1V, 1D, 1L). Besiktas' record against Russian teams: 7 games | 3V, 1D, 3L (home - 2V, 1D, 1L; away - 0V, 1D, 2L).

Regarding the latest team news, Mykhalyk is expected to be in the starting line-up in order to replace Tarasov, who was subbed off against Spartak as well as Pejcinovic, who suffered a problem with the thigh muscles. As a consequence, the Ukrainian defender could play his 50th game in the European competitions. The Serbian defender's place, instead, could be taken by Logashov. 

The biggest ex of the game Manuel Fernandes commented the upcoming match: "I think Lokomotiv are the favorite. It'll be a tough match, but we're going to play in front of our fans and we want to keep the first place. The game will be balanced and the team with less mistakes will win. I'd very happy to give Cherevchenko some information about my former team. In this moment, I'm happy in Moscow and I can't wait to stay there for the next years." However, the Portuguese midfielder should stay on the bench. His performance this season have been really disappointing. 

Cherevchenko analyzing the future opponent refused the Fernandes' help and said: "They've got a strong squad. I've seen their last three matches and I was surprised by their line of attack. However, we're ready to face them without any fear. The next two games could be crucial to pass the group stage. I didn't asked Fernandes anything about them. The day before yesterday I spoke with Bilic, I've got a great relationship with him. However, we didn't talk about Besiktas."

Besiktas, instead, are currently leading the Super Lig's table. The arrival of former Bursaspor head coach Senol Gunes let the team to continue the project started under Bilic. "The Black Eagles" play a very offensive football characterized by the presence of a solid midfield together with many creative players in the line of attack. 

It'd be interesting to watch the game of Beck, who was close to join Lokomotiv some years ago and who has got Russian roots. One of the most dangerous players, instead, is Gokhan Tore, who played with Rubin Kazan' in the RPL and therefore could give some advice to his teammates about Lokomotiv. Furthermore, the last transfers window carried a striker like Gomez and brought Quaresma back to Istanbul, giving a real mediatic prominence to Besiktas. The most interesting talents of the teams are Ozyakup, Uysal and Tosun. However, only the first one should be in the starting line-up. 

After the chants sang during the game against Skenderbeu, UEFA banned Lokomotiv to sell the tickets for the tomorrow's match to some sectors. However, a good attendance is still waited and in particular many Besiktas fans should attend the game. Regarding the atmosphere at Lokomotiv Stadium, Kasaev said: "I'm confident that the match will be played in a good atmosphere without any sort of problem. Besiktas will be supported by many warm fans, but this is not why we should wait some provocations."

The game will be tough for both Lokomotiv and Besiktas. May the best team win.

PROBABLE XI

Lokomotiv (4-2-3-1)

Guilherme

Shishkin -  Corluka - Logashov - Denisov

N'Dinga - Mykhalyk 

Samedov - Kolomeytsev - Kasaev

Niasse

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

Besiktas (4-2-3-1)

Zengin 
Tosic - Gulum - Rhodolfo - Beck 
Hutchinson - Ozyakup
Tore - Sosa - Quaresma 

Gomez

Special Otkrytie Arena Edition of The Cherkizovo Report: Lokomotiv 2 Spartak 1

Opening kickoff

Lokomotiv put a massive exclamation point on their recent spectacular form by earning their first win ever at Otkrytie Arena over Spartak by a score of 2-1.

Not only was it a Moscow derby day but it was also a battle of Russia's 2nd and 4th placed teams plus a face-off of two home-grown boys, Chevevchenko and Alenichev, appointed this season to lead turnarounds for their beloved clubs.

Loko was able to use Cherevchenko's preferred eleven as we were free of notable injuries or suspensions. Spartak was without the Cape Verdean sensation Ze Luis and Promes didn't start despite having recovered from injury. An interesting formation change saw the 'Myaso' use five defenders to try and slow down Loko's attack.

Smoke descends on the stadium at 0-2

On this gloomy, overcast day 38,000 Muscovites made their way to the stadium, which will most likely be the largest crowd to watch Loko in Russia this year. Only the upper portion of the normal, corner fan sector at Otkrytie Arena was occupied by us showing again our inability to get fans to any stadium.

Those who didn't come missed quite a show. It was only the 9th minute when Denisov saved a ball going out-of-bounds and crossed to the far post. Samedov rescued that ball from going out of play with his head and put it in front of the goal where Kolomeytsev flew in with a diving header to make it 1-0 for the Railwaymen. Minutes later, Pejcinovic could have doubled the score with a header of his own, but the ball agonizingly hit the crossbar.

Tarasov was subbed off due to injury with Miranchuk brought on, noticeably weakening the midfield with Kolomeytsev moving back into Tarasov's spot, and Spartak slowly worked their way back into the game with some neat combination play in the penalty box, but the final pass or shot was always snuffed out by the Loko defense.

They're shooting at us!

At halftime, Promes replaced Zotov for Spartak and almost made an instant impact with a powerful shot, but moments later a touch of brilliance from Niasse tilted the balance squarely in Loko's favor. Denisov played him the ball at the top of the box. He made a nice move right, then his attempt at a pass caromed off Shirokov back into his path for him to launch a one-time strike just out of the reach of Rebrov into the upper right corner for a commanding 2-0 lead.

That's went the match took a turn for the worst. Not for the players though, but for the fans. Fans of the 'Myaso'  had always taken exception to the colorful, unfit-to-print chants of the Loko fans, but being down two goals pushed them over the edge. Flares lit up at both ends of the stadium and smoke drifted over the field. This type of scene is pretty typical at a Spartak match, but then a rocket whizzed in front of my face. The Spartak fans were shooting fireworks at us. Security rushed over to try to calm things down just before they reached the tipping point. As far as I know, no Loko fans were injured by this pyrotechnical onslaught.

Thanks for the victory

An injury to Pejcinovic brought on Mykhalyk, not Djurica, which made it clear that our Slovak man isn't quite ready yet. At about this point, Spartak seemed to find their footing and began their assault on our goal. Bocchetti gave Spartak a lifeline with a goal in the 74th that he squeezed through from a cross at the near post.

From there, Spartak camped out in our half for most of the remainder of the match, but the defense held strong with Guilherme grabbing an important diving catch from an acrobatic shot by Popov. Niasse, the one man counter-attack, wasted away many of the last moments with long, defense-eluding runs, but disappointing finishing prevented him from putting the match beyond reach. Nevertheless, the red and green were able to see out the four minutes of stoppage time and picked up an impressive and emotional derby win!

The win takes us seven points above Spartak and five over Zenit who stumbled to a 2-2 draw with Kuban yesterday.  There's no denying now that this team is capable of competing for the Russian Championship. If only CSKA could slip up once or twice...

Andy Tedrick