Goal, maneuver and pass: how Sergeev helped Zenit defeat Lokomotiv and become the champion of Russia for the fourth time in a row

The match between Zenit and Lokomotiv was initially considered central in the 27th round of the RPL.

However, the sensational home defeat of Dynamo from one of the outsiders of the tournament, Ural, added additional intrigue to him - 2:3.

After that, the Petersburgers got an excellent opportunity for three meetings before the finish line to secure their fourth championship in a row.

And the fans had a feeling of deja vu in many ways, because last season the wards of Sergei Semak also guaranteed themselves the title at the Gazprom Arena in the game with the railwaymen, only this happened in the 28th round.

And then they defeated the opponent with a humiliating score of 6:1.

Now the guests had a good opportunity to take revenge.

However, the hosts were still considered the clear favorites, who in the spring scored an excellent move and won three victories in a row in the RPL, although the departure from the National Cup somewhat overshadowed the picture.

Muscovites, on the other hand, faced serious personnel problems and lost three key players.

Central defender Tin Jedwai suffered a muscle injury, while right-back Dmitry Zhivoglyadov and striker Jan Kuhta were suspended.

The doctors still managed to put the Croat on his feet, and he made up a duet in the center of defense with Mark Mampassi.

And the place at the forefront of the attack, as in the match with Nizhny Novgorod, was taken by the nominal midfielder Maxim Petrov.

Finally, the 19-year-old pupil of the club academy Artem Karpukas again settled in the support zone.

But Semak decided not to change the winning team and released on the field all those who got three points in Krasnodar.

In particular, Artyom Dzyuba, who a year ago played a key role in the “golden” confrontation with Loko, remained on the bench again.

A couple in the attack was organized by newcomers, Ivan Sergeev and Yuri Alberto.

However, the beginning of the match turned out to be extremely unsuccessful for Zenit.

It was as if the owners were overwhelmed by the need to achieve results here and now.

Guests, on the contrary, acted liberated and competently.

They met the opponent in the middle block and during the selections they immediately organized oncoming fast attacks.

And already in the fourth minute they managed to open an account thanks to a gross mistake by Mikhail Kerzhakov.

Having received a pass from the defender, the goalkeeper tried to return the ball back, but gave it to Girano Kerk, who went into active pressure.

The midfielder took advantage of his chance and hit an empty target.

Petersburgers at first seemed confused.

For some time they could not even approach someone else's penalty area.

Lokomotiv football players did not leave free space in their own half and did not allow the opponent's technical performers to remain one on one.

In a difficult situation, Semak's wards were helped by standards.

Over and over again, they competently played corners and created dangerous chances.

The railroad workers did not hear the first call.

At the 14th minute, Sergeyev hit the gate, but the referee Vladimir Moskalev canceled the goal due to an offside position.

However, soon the striker distinguished himself according to all the rules.

The blue-white-blues again won the rebound, and Alberto, after an excellent throw by Claudinho from outside the penalty area from the goalkeeper's line, made a discount on a partner.

Having equalized the score, the hosts finally came to their senses and played much more confidently.

They locked the guests in someone else's half and weaved combinations, trying to find gaps in the problematic defense.

And at the end of the first half, Zenit managed to take the lead.

The team again took advantage of the corner.

Malcolm, after a pass from Claudinho from the corner of the penalty area, performed a cross at Sergeev.

Ivan did not reach the ball, and he, untouched by anyone, flew into the net.

Loko was remembered only by one unpleasant counterattack.

Kerk and Wilson Isidore went through the entire defensive line of the opponent in a couple of passes, but the latter, trying to transfer Kerzhakov, who came out to meet him, missed the target.

During the break, Semak decided on an unexpected replacement.

Nuraly Alip, who did not always act confidently with the opponent's quick counterattacks, gave way to Danil Krugovoy.

Thus, the team switched to the usual arrangement with three central defenders, and the laterals got more freedom on the flanks.

Lokomotiv, on the other hand, had the impression that they simply did not understand how to continue playing the game.

In theory, the guests were supposed to act as the first number, but in the attack they did not succeed.

There was a noticeable lack of a performer who would be able to give the last gear.

As a result, Kerk, Petrov and Isidore were cut off from their partners.

In addition, the guests were simply afraid to open up, because they understood how strong the opponent was in the transitional phases.

But the Petersburgers still regularly ran away into the most dangerous counterattacks.

Moreover, at the very beginning of the second half, Sergeev scored a brace after Kuzyaev's cross.

However, the judges again canceled Ivan's goal due to an offside position.

This time the assistant turned out to be offside.

In the future, Zenit had many chances to increase the advantage in the long run, but lacked a bit of luck.

One Alberto could well issue a double.

The railroad workers, however, started up a little only after the substitutions were made.

First, the place of injured Dmitry Barinov in the support zone was taken by Sergey Babkin.

Then Zaur Khapov threw Francois Camano and Anton Miranchuk, who had just recovered from injuries, into the game.

The latter has not appeared on the field since August last year.

But, as soon as he received the ball, he performed an excellent cutting pass to Kerk's move, and that did not have enough speed to go one on one with Kerzhakov.

However, this turned out to be the only chance for the guests.

The hosts put an end to the end.

Sergeev, who played a great match, made a neat discount into the penalty area for fresh Andrey Mostovoy, who calmly shot into the far corner.

Guilherme failed to save his team.

After that, the outcome of the confrontation became completely clear.

Zenit became the champion of Russia for the fourth time in a row.

The Petersburgers were not even embarrassed by the quick, curious ball conceded after Mikhail Kerzhakov's mistake.

Also, Semak's wards again won the title precisely in the confrontation with Lokomotiv.