The last meeting was the first serious test for the updated Lokomotiv. At the beginning of the season, the “red-greens” surprised many with their agility, but still the visit to St. Petersburg is a different story. It is in such meetings that it becomes clear whether the team is claiming trophies or not.
In the year of the club’s centenary, Zenit sets itself only one task – to defend the championship title. But if the start of the championship turned out to be almost ideal for the “blue-white-blue”, then Sergei Semak’s charges had problems. They concern not only game moments, but also injuries. The biggest loss for Zenit is Maxim Glushenkov, who, after moving from Lokomotiv, quickly became one of the leaders of the new club.
The Railwaymen extended their undefeated streak in games against Zenit to three meetings
However, the St. Petersburg team, it seems, are already accustomed to playing without Glushenkov. During the first half of the match, the hosts could have upset visiting goalkeeper Ilya Lantratov several times, but each time Semak’s team was unlucky. Lokomotiv tried to respond with dangerous counterattacks, relying on the speed of the same Nair Tiknizyan and the ingenuity of Alexei Batrakov. And yet the spectators did not see any goals scored before the break – 0:0.
In the second half, events on the field developed much more rapidly. The hosts opened the scoring through the efforts of Andrei Mostovoy, but Lokomotiv had the last word that evening: the Muscovites were saved from defeat by a goal from the new leader of the Railwaymen, 19-year-old student of the club academy Alexei Batrakov. Note that Zenit cannot defeat the red-greens for the third match in a row.
Moscow’s Spartak rehabilitated itself in front of its fans after the defeat from Krasnodar: the red-whites confidently beat Paris NN Nizhny Novgorod away – 2:0. Congolese Theo Bongonda and Jamaican Shamar Nicholson distinguished themselves.
– It turned out to be a difficult match, like all the previous ones we played in the Premier League. Happy with everything. I want to praise Bongonda. He lacked goals, but today he did a great job. Theo played his best game during my time at Spartak,” emphasized Serbian head coach of the “red-whites” Dejan Stankovic.
CSKA unexpectedly stumbled on its home field: the army team shared points with Fakel (0:0), playing in the majority from the 66th minute.
After the removal of Voronezh defender, Frenchman of Algerian origin, Ryan Senhadji, the army team had enough time to snatch victory. But instead, the hosts almost gave in: in the end, “Fakel” had a couple of chances at the opponent’s goal, but the spectators never saw any goals scored.
– We had the ball most of the time, but who needs it if in the end the team only scored one point? There was no tension ahead, the guys were relaxed. Of course, we are disappointed,” Serbian head coach of the “red-blues” Marko Nikolic did not hide his indignation.
What’s interesting in Europe
The current winner of the Champions League and the Spanish championship, Real, lost at home to Barcelona (0:4) in the 11th round of Examples. The Royal Club suffered its biggest home defeat in two years – then they also suffered a defeat with the same score from the Catalans.
Who would have thought that the “blue garnets” would not only score three points, but crush “Real”. But this match was important for the “creamy” not only because it was a “clásico”, but also because in the event of a draw or victory, the “royal club” could equal Barcelona’s record undefeated streak in the championship. But in the end, in the 43rd meeting, Ancelotti’s team stumbled.
As for Barcelona, the Catalans are having an almost perfect season so far. In the championship they won ten out of 11 meetings, they score a lot and show brilliant football. 36-year-old Pole Robert Lewandowski is shining, scoring a double in Madrid; Brazilian Rafinha is in excellent shape, setting the final score in the confrontation with Real. Finally, the young 17-year-old Yamal continues to surprise everyone, who scored the youngest goal in the history of the Clasico.
– The plan worked. Before the break we played a little risky, but the guys coped with the task. After the first half, our coaching staff made the right decisions, the players worked hard. It is very important that all of us in the club believe in our idea. There is no need to look back or think in advance about the title you have won. It doesn’t work that way. It’s too early to say anything, but Barcelona is slowly returning to where it should be, says Barcelona coach Hansi Flick.
Source: rg.ru
