New meeting Karpin and Semin
The 24th round of the RPL opened with an interesting confrontation between Rostov and Lokomotiv. The cost of defeat in this match was incredibly high, because both teams are fighting for getting into the European Cup. The railway workers are in second place and claim a ticket to the Champions League, while the yellow-blue ones expect to get into the Europa League.
At the same time, Valeriy Karpin’s charges do not show the most stable results. After the victory over Spartak, the team from the South of Russia to one point reduced the backlog from the opponent, which is in fifth place, allowing to pass to the LE. But the next round was on the road "Orenburg" defeated the "Rostov", which worsened the situation of the latter.
The team of Yuri Semin, unlike his rival, does not allow himself such downturns and in the new year gains points almost according to the champion schedule. In seven spring games, Loko won four victories and never lost. Draws with “Zenit” and CSKA can be called workers. The only unforced misfire red-green made in the game of the first March tour with the “Wings of the Soviets” - 2: 2.
But the confrontation with “Rostov” has already become a favorite for railway workers, because this season the teams will be forced to meet four times at once, because they fell on each other in the Cup semi-final of the country. The first match between them in Cherkizovo ended in a draw - 2: 2, and now everything will be decided in Rostov-on-Don on May 15. Thus, after only two weeks, Semin’s team will have to return to the south of the country.
As for the teams for the reporting match, both coaches were not without surprises. So, Semin left Fyodor Smolov in reserve, but Rifat Zhemaletdinov came to the field from the first minutes. Also, due to various injuries, Igor Denisov, Vladislav Ignatiev and Vedran Chorluka could not help the team.
Under current conditions, the coaching staff of the red-green decided to “mirror” the opponent's scheme and play three central defenders. At the same time, Grzegorz Krychovyak went down to his own penalty box.
Karpin was forced to do without the injured Roman Eremenko. The place of Finn was taken by Kazakhstan newcomer of the team Baktior Zaynutdinov.
Quick goal and competent tactics "Lokomotiv"
The beginning of the match turned out to be more than successful for Lokomotiv, because already in the fifth minute the guests managed to open an account. The railway workers carried out a competent fast attack, and Alexei Miranchuk, being with the ball in the penalty area, did not greedy and gave the transfer to Jefferson Farfan, who exactly struck into the near corner and recorded at his own expense the sixth goal of the current season.
The start so unsuccessful for Rostov made the team go forward, which the rival waited for. Semin in this match made a bet on quick counterstrike, and this tactic was completely justified for the time being. At the same time, when the ball was lost, the railroad instantly turned on high pressure, and in their own half of the field they forced the hosts to go to the flanks, from where not very dangerous pitches were sent, given that Loko had three powerful defenders at once.
Through the center of the attack at the "Rostov" almost did not pass. Firstly, Tarasov and Barinov acted well in the support zone, and secondly, the team clearly did not have enough Eremenko, although Ivelin Popov was trying to take on his role.
However, shortly before the end of the first half, the hosts got their chance and earned absolutely not arising from the logic of the game penalty. Tarasov in the penalty carelessly waved his foot, trying to make the ball, and knocked the brisk Alexander Zuev. Judge Vitaly Meshkov, without hesitation, pointed to the "point". The penalty kick confidently realized Alexey Ionov. So for Lokomotiv, suddenly everything started over again.
Pressure guests and hot ending
The draw, of course, did not suit Lokomotiv fighting for the medals, and after the break the guests were forced to go forward and unfold. "Rostov" also had the opportunity to act in a favorite manner - on the counter.
However, looking ahead, it is worth saying that Semin's wards did not allow too many opponents. In the second half, the owners had practically no moments. I remember only a dangerous attack on the right flank, which ended with a not too successful Ionov's backache, and the bulk was already at the time added by the arbitrator.
For the time being, Lokomotiv did not play on another side, but gradually the team began to create chances. Often, it was possible for Aleksey Miranchuk, who cut Farfan to dangerous blows with cutting passes behind his back. In one of these episodes, only the inaccuracy saved “Rostov” from the right goal - a Peruvian from a lethal position shot into Sergey Pesyakov.
And 15 minutes before the final whistle, Alexey himself ruined an absolute moment. After a lice Matseya Rybusya Miranchuk was right in front of an empty far corner, but in a fantastic way struck the post with a couple of meters.
Still, Loko managed to put an end to the opponent After the corner, all the same Rybus completed a great pass to the goalkeeper's line from the left flank, and Farfan, unstick from Ragnar Sigurdsson, calmly struck his head into the far corner and designed a double.
To maintain an advantage for the current champions was a matter of technique, although in the end Rostovites staged a pile on the Guilherme gate and almost sent the ball into the goal. Nevertheless, the score did not change, and the railroad workers scored the most important three points and retained the second place.