FC Krasnodar heated things up in the Russian league by winning CSKA Moscow and gave the opportunity to either Lokomotiv or Zenit in today’s game to reach higher on the table.
First half was poor with neither teams being able to create any solid chances to score, eventually leading to a goalless draw.
Three minutes into the second half and Lokomotiv luckily gained the lead, after the ball bounced off Lombaerts from Lodygin’s save, 1-0 for Moscow.
The hosts tried successfully to take advantage of the momentum and a beautifully curved shot from captain Samedov saw Yuri stretching to the left side of his posts but unable to prevent the 2-0 for Lokomotiv (58′).
Axel Witsel and Igor Smolnikov were both introduced twenty minutes before the finale and Zenit immediately improved, reaching Guilherme’s posts easier. Dzyuba, Danny, WItsel and Criscito all had great chances to score with the Italian’s header hitting the post, on St. Petersburg’s biggest and last chance in the game for something better.
Zenit now sit on 4th position, with CSKA, Rostov and Lokomotiv leading the title race.
