Syomin’s tactical surprise, Krykhovyak’s power and Gradecki’s fatal mistake: how Lokomotiv beat Bayer in the Champions League

Murilo in the base zone and impassable Chorluka

Before the start of the match with Bayer, only a few loyal fans believed in the success of Lokomotiv. This was largely due to injuries of both brothers Miranchuk. It was assumed that without its leaders it would be difficult for the team to oppose anything to the team from Leverkusen.

However, Semin would not be himself if he could not surprise his opponent. Having looked at the starting line-up of the railway workers, almost everyone decided that the coach naturally decided to return to the scheme with three central defenders, because in addition to Benedict Hovedes and Vedran Chorluka, Murilo was included.

But when the match began, it became obvious that the Brazilian would not act in the center of defense, but in the supporting zone, where he had practically not played before. This did not bother Semin - he decided to take a chance. As a result, red-green gained a total advantage in this area. Bayer’s attacks didn’t pass through the center, and the hosts constantly had to leave for the flanks, from where they served the penalty box. But experienced Loko defenders coped with them without visible problems. Chorluka was especially good, who seems to have won the entire horse fight.

At the same time, Semin, as expected, did not go forward, exposing the rear, but relied on counterattacks that brought the team RPL gold only a year and a half ago. As a result, the railway workers fled from time to time in exemplary counterattacks, and Bayer defenders simply could not keep up with them. Fyodor Smolov was especially good, who not only actively clung to the balls, but also boldly went to dribbling, supplying the oncoming partners with timely gears. Rifat Zhemaletdinov and João Mariou, who plowed the brows, were also good. At the same time, the Portuguese in the third game for Loko marked the second assists. While his rent is fully justified, and no one knows how to cling to the balls like he does in the team.

Physical and psychological readiness

Also, the railroad organized a very powerful pressure on the alien half of the field, which brought them success. In the case of the first goal, it was Zhemaletdinov who made the opponent make a mistake, and in the situation with the second goal, Smolov, who organized such pressure on Lukash Gradecki that he brought the ball right on Barinova’s leg.

Young Russian midfielder and Grzegorz Kryhovyak should be praised separately. They not only once again did a gigantic amount of work, but also scored a goal. The role of the Pole in the team in a good way is more and more surprising, because in the current season he also began to regularly upset his rivals personally. Four times Grzegorz distinguished himself in the RPL and once in the Champions League. Five goals for the season - Krykhovyak's personal record, but in the yard only September. The physical fitness of the football player also does not cease to amaze. For example, at the end of the meeting he had enough strength to rush into someone else's penalty area and dangerously punch his head.

It is not surprising that next to such a player Barinov continues to progress at an incredible pace. But recently Igor Denisov seemed indispensable in the supporting zone. Now no one remembers the veteran who left the club, but Dmitry really became a key Loko footballer.

It is also important to note that other Lokomotiv players approached the Champions League in excellent physical shape. Red-green in general withstood the pressure of Bayer in the end and practically did not allow the owners to create dangerous moments. I remember, perhaps, the unpleasant blow of Nadim Amiri to the far corner, which Marinato Guillerme dealt with. But in the last minutes, the railroads completely had the strength to escape in a counterattack.

The psychological preparation of the team was also on top. Especially revealing in this regard was the completely optional goal of Bayer - the ball crossed the ribbon after a rebound from Hovedes. After such an unfortunate failure, Shomin’s wards could come loose, but they quickly pulled themselves together and as a result, even before the break, they stepped forward again. It’s infrequent to see our clubs behave so confidently in the Champions League.

But even last season, railroad workers in the main European Cup were whipping boys, although they received relatively passing teams as rivals in the group. Then Lokomotiv was unprepared for Champions League primarily psychologically. Now this is a completely different, experienced team, which is ready to achieve results not only in domestic tournaments, but also in European competitions. It is hoped that the Miranchuk brothers, after returning to duty, will demonstrate their progress, and the railway workers will be able to compete for leaving the group with the Turin Juventus and Madrid Atletico, no matter how hard it may be.