The Bulls Suffered a Minimal Loss in Moscow
FC Lokomotiv Moscow 1-0 (1-0) FC Krasnodar
Goal: Aleksei Miranchuk (Zhivoglyadov), 43.
FC Lokomotiv Moscow: Guilherme, Rybus, Murilo, Ćorluka, Zhivoglyadov, Krychowiak, Barinov, Rybchinsky (Magkeyev, 62), Aleksei Miranchuk (Anton Miranchuk, 90+3), Zhemaletdinov, Smolov (Lisakovich, 89).
FC Krasnodar: Safonov, Ramírez (Smolnikov, 70), Kaio, Martynovich, Petrov, Gazinsky (Matsukatov, 78), Olsson, Utkin (Suleymanov, 62), Cabella, Wanderson, Berg.
Yellow cards: Guilherme, 84 – Ramírez, 9.
Referees: Levnikov, Milyuchenko (both Saint Petersburg), Zhvakin (Leningrad Oblast).
VAR: Bezborodov (Saint Petersburg), Petrosyan (Bronnitsy).
15 August 2020. Moscow. RZD Arena Stadium. Scattered clouds. 14 degrees. 6247 spectators.
A high-quality performance on the opening matchday of the Russian Premier League in Ufa inspired the Bulls' coaching staff to make zero changes to the first eleven. Therefore, the starting squad in a game tonight turned out to be identical to the one fielded six days ago.
In the first forty-five minutes the team led by Murad Musayev displayed half as much again ball possession as the home team did, but in effect both sides efficiently launched equally sharp attacks. The best chances for Krasnodar included a somewhat inaccurate shot by Olsson on the 25th minute and Berg missing the low cross just barely a few seconds later. The scoring chances on behalf of FC Lokomotiv were also squeezed in one minute in the middle of the first half when Safonov was forced to save his team after biting shots into the far corner taken by Zhemaletdinov and Krychowiak.
The pendulum of luck then swung in favor of the Loko team. A few minutes to the half-time Aleksei Miranchuk beat Kaio in one move inside the penalty area and sent the ball into the net past Safonov in another one.
In the second half the Railroaders sealed everything tight in defense and dedicated themselves totally to counterattacks. This scenario went poorly with the Bulls. Apart from some good shots fired by Wanderson, Cabella and Berg, the black-greens did not create any real threat to the opposite goal and failed to save the match.
FC Lokomotiv Moscow 1-0 FC Krasnodar
79 (17) Attacks (quick attacks) 86 (10)
15 Total shots 15
4 Blocked shots 6
9 Shots on goal 3
0 Woodwork hits 0
6 Scoring chances 2
70 Won duels 76
44% Ball possession 56%
369 (83%) Completed passes (accuracy) 527 (86%)
5 Corner kicks 4
0 Offsides 2
10 Fouls 11
