"Spartak" and "Loko" will play carefully and strictly ": Kechinov on Nikolic's successful streak, Tedesco's risk and Bakaev's problems

"These are equal rivals, both in composition and in game."

- Lokomotiv scored seven points in the first three rounds of the RPL, while Spartak lost points in the match against Sochi and Ufa who were inferior in class. Can the railroad workers be called the favorites of the confrontation?

- In no case. In my opinion, these are equal rivals, both in composition and in play. Neither Lokomotiv nor Spartak have such a margin of safety as Zenit. Yes, the railroad workers scored a little more points at the start of the season, but in general, today they are not much superior to the red and white.

- Considering how the red and whites know how to use the free space in the opponent's half of the field, is it possible to assume that Lokomotiv will act carefully, as it was in the last match between the teams (within the 27th round of the last RPL season (1: 1 ) - RT )?

- Likely. They're studying the opponent. Lokomotiv will play to its strengths. But Spartak will surely prepare some surprises for the opponent. In any case, an interesting and productive game awaits us. I dare to assume that it will end in a draw. Recently, teams have often dispersed in peace.

- The matches between the teams developed in different ways. Sometimes they turned out to be not very spectacular, and sometimes quite effective. Should we expect the teams to play boldly, given that the season is just beginning and there is room for error?

- I would not say that teams can easily make mistakes and lose points, especially "Spartak". Yes, and Lokomotiv cannot be allowed to misfire, because Zenit has already gone into the lead, and CSKA will play on Saturday with not the strongest Rubin. And if Spartak loses points a couple more times, then it risks repeating the previous season and sinking to the struggle for seventh or ninth places. Therefore, the stakes are very high. Tedesco's charges need a win. Moreover, the team did not score four points in the matches against Sochi and Ufa. Zenit does not stumble in such meetings. Plus, the result of the derby will greatly affect the psychological state.  

- Which of the coaches is more likely to be able to surprise an opponent, Domenico Tedesco or Marko Nikolic?

- Tedesco is a little more experienced and has worked in the Bundesliga, but by and large, all this is nonsense. The players will take to the pitch, not Tedesco and Nikolic. It is the players who will make the result. It is clear that a lot depends on tactics and strategy for the match, but in the end everything is decided by the state of the teams at the moment. But I think Domenico is able to take the risk. Depending on the opponent, he bets on a different combination of players. And on Sunday, Spartak's victory will be necessary.

- Could the factor of Alexey Miranchuk be decisive in this meeting? At the start of the season, he has already scored two goals, and only in the summer - nine, including Spartak.

- But Jordan Larsson scores in almost every match against Spartak. Ezequiel Ponce excelled in two matches in a row. Yes, Miranchuk is in good shape, but Tedesco's team also has people who can make a difference. It's another matter if the railway workers are given freedom. Then they realize their moments. Therefore, I think the teams will play very carefully and strictly. Whoever loses concentration will be defeated.  

“I will assume that Spartak will focus on attack”

- Will Vedran Chorluka and Jason Murilo, who are far from sinless, be able to cope with the fast and agile three of Spartak's attack?

- As a Spartak fan, of course, I would like them not to cope with this task. I hope so.

- The fate of the match can be decided in the center of the field, where Lokomotiv has a strong pair of midfielders Dmitry Barinov - Grzegorz Krychowiak. Shouldn't Tedesco sacrifice one of the attackers in order to strengthen the center of the pitch with the hard-working Roman Zobnin? 

- Do not forget that Alex Kral is entrenched in the red-white support zone. He does a tremendous amount of work, including destruction. Tedesco will analyze the situation and put on this position a person who is not only able to take the ball away, but also to make a competent first pass. In principle, Zobnin is suitable for this role.

- Don't you think that apart from him, the team will have no one to destroy in the center of the field? 

- Much will depend on the line-up chosen by the coaching staff of the red and white for this meeting. The pair Kral - Nail Umyarov is still more focused on attack, work with the ball and building combinations. They do little rough work. But in the end, even if Zobnin remains on the right flank of the defense, he will be able to move into this zone and help his partners. If Spartak starts to push off from the central axis of Loko, then Roman can return to the position of the defensive player. I will assume that the red and white will focus on the attack. In addition, do not forget that the team will play at home.  

- In the game against Ufa, Spartak clearly lacked the last pass. Can we expect Zelimkhan Bakayev to return to the starting lineup ?

- It should be recalled here that in November last year he gave three assists in the match between these teams. But we do not observe the situation within the team and do not know what form Zelimkhan is in at the moment. And the coaches are aware of everything and draw their own conclusions. Perhaps Bakaev is simply not all right now. Let's hope we see him.

But I would also remember such a football player as Maxim Glushenkov. I watched the match between Lokomotiv and Krylia Sovetov in June. Samarans ruined a bunch of chances, had to win with a large score, and Glushenkov tore apart the defenders. Therefore, it is possible that he will be released from the first minutes in the derby. Still, every footballer has comfortable opponents. It cannot be ruled out that Glushenkov will be in the base together with Bakaev, as in the first round match against Sochi, and Zobnin and Kral will play in the middle.  

- There was no place for Anton Miranchuk in the starting lineup of Lokomotiv in the last two matches. Doesn't this deprive the railway workers of the brothers' irreplaceable teamwork?

- Not only do they understand each other perfectly, Anton is also a high-class footballer. Apparently, he also has some problems that we do not know about. I don’t believe that Anton doesn’t make it to the roster, being in good shape. As for Dmitry Rybchinsky, he left me with positive impressions. The guy is young and technical, he looks good.

- Fyodor Smolov was at the forefront of Lokomotiv's attacks in recent matches. However, will it be enough for the team, given that Spartak has three people in the center of defense at once?

- I do not see this as a problem. The railroad workers have always played with one striker lately. Yes, Spartak uses three defenders at once in the center of defense, but they do not crowd in one place, but close different zones. Plus, Smolov has good support in the person of Alexey Miranchuk and Rybchinsky. There is also good support from deep within.