Lokomotiv victorious at Luzhniki

With a remarkable cutting tactical plan, Rashid Rakhimov’s Lokomotiv Moscow showed its promise in one of its best displays of the campaign as they defeated Spartak Moscow 1-0 at Luzhniki Stadium. Whilst the match had numerous scoring opportunities, the lone goal was Georgian veteran Davit Mujiri classic finish past Stipe Pletikosa six minutes after the opening whistle.

Boasting an opening lineup that contained four Russian internationals, Dmitriy Sychev, Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, Renat Yanbayev and Denis Glushakov, Loko started the match with a fury and intent to score against Spartak, which appeared fatigued from their mid-week match. With the lead they continued to pressure and Spartak’s finishing was obvious below acceptable. Yet to say this result was a “surprise” is an understatement as Spartak’s loss of three points at this stage of the season, with still a chance for the Champions League is a horrible note to their year. A victory against “Loko” would have pushed them to fourth place and four points behind Dynamo and CSKA. Michael Laudrup’s removal of Aleksandr Prudnikov at the break seemed to jump the gun as he was pairing up well with Nikita Bazhenov and I would have assumed they would have went three up top with Artem Dzjuba, especially as you considered how Vladimir Bystrov pace and guile was creating endless opportunities. Additionally with full health, Spartak supporters will question why with so much on the line, was Aleksandr Pavlenko on the bench till the twenty minutes remained.

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Yegor Titov continues to lead Khimki to safety

Of the many great stories that this season will be remembered for one is the leadership of veteran Russian international Yegor Titov at Khimki. Since joining the club after twenty-five years as a part of Spartak Moscow, he has spearheaded Khimki’s tough climb up the table. In following this move, prior to joining the club they produced a meager thirteen points in eighteen matches but in the ten matches since arriving, they have earned eleven points and have eased out the relegation zone. Whilst the battle is far from over with Luch-Energiya Vladivostok only four points behind, today they grabbed an important 1-1 draw against Tom’ Tomsk as veteran Nastja ?eh leveled the match with six minutes remaining.

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Dick Advocaat stays!

Zenit Saint Petersburg supporters can feel secure with the clubs direction as the club announced that Dick Advocaat has signed an extension to keep him with the club through the end of 2009. Since joining Zenit in the summer of 2006, he has marshaled unprecedented success for the club and one of the most sought-after coaches in the world.

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this time Andrei Arshavin will go

Following the Euro 2008 Andrei Arshavin became one of the hottest names in the sport with numerous clubs seeking his services. During the summer transfer market, terms with clubs were never reached and although many media outlets noted blame on Zenit management typically via Andrei’s own comments or his agents, in-truth it was because all suggested deals involved a deferred payment structure that was laced with bonuses.

With the Russian season nearly completed and the January transfer window ahead, the winds of change are upon us with Mr. Arshavin once again expressing his displeasure with life in beautiful Saint Petersburg. Via Russian media outlet, Sport Express he noted:

“A professional cannot be reluctant to play if he enters the field,” said Andrei. “I do my best in Zenit. But four months before I told the Chairman of the club that I don’t want to stay in the team. And then I used to repeat it continually. Unfortunately my words were either missed or underestimated.”

“The problem boils down to the following: whether Zenit sets a real price. If that happens I will leave. If not – I will be listed in Zenit but only on paper. Next year I don’t want and won’t play here.”

“That is not an ultimatum but a typical reaction on the situation. I was always thinking that it is possible to come to an agreement and leave smoothly. But now I have much less hope. A conflict seems necessary but bless me I wanted it least of all.”

“I have not seen a single game of Tottenham to tell the truth. But after every match day of the English Premier League everybody in the team who watched the games is teasing me even Advocaat. That is why I don’t really need to watch Tottenham as I get the full report of their play. After my unsuccessful transfer to that English club absolutely all Zenit is interested in Tottenham.”

“I can say nothing about Tottenham’s and especially Pavlyuchenko’s performance, as I am not in the team. But Roman started to score that is good.”

“I am not satisfied playing in Zenit and I think my teammates do not enjoy the game either as they see my condition.”

“Generally speaking I have been suffering for four months and the team is in torment with me. The Champions League is of course a kind of an impetus but that is only six games.”

“At the moment I am a part of the team and it is important for me that the team gets as high the place in the Russian championship as possible. I repeat that if I enter the field I do everything I can at that moment. If I did not want to play I would say it.”

“The management of the club does not know about my decision yet, but they will learn about it after this interview.”

“The peak of my mood was on Euro and the dip on September 2, when the transfer window closed. Now my mood is somewhere in the hole. Of course I have some joys but mostly go with the current.”

“I think that with some luck we can get into to the Champions League play-offs and without it we can even miss out the UEFA Cup. Everything depends on every match: both ours and of Real. Football is very unpredictable and anything can happen. Let’s wait a bit and everything will be settled soon.”

In a simple reply Dick Advocaat, reiterated that any player who wishes to leave, should be allowed to. With the state of Zenit’s season along with the clubs decision to maximize value for a player at the height of his career, this time he is unlikely to be at the club next year.

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week 28 of Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia

With Rubin Kazen being crowned champions, the big race in Russia is for the final European spots. At presently Zenit is clinging to the all-important fifth spot but with the narrowest of margin and faces a massive battle against Perm on Sunday. It’ll be a classic contrast of styles, with the tight defensive plan of the Red-Blacks ??????-?????? of Perm and the free-flowing style of Zenit. Additionally in another of the great battles this month in Moscow, Lokomotiv’s slim hopes advancement go head-to-head with Spartak Moscow. Spartak has slowly climbed up the table and sit on the verge of moving into the European spot. With Amkar’ to play a defensive match, a draw in that match combined with a Spartak victory would see them leap to fourth position and set-up their final match-day against Zenit at Luzhniki. It all starts in an hour with the legendary Yegor Titov leading Khimki out of relegation as they face Tom’ Tomsk.

Friday
Tom’ Tomsk @ Khimki

Saturday
Spartak Nalchik @ Samara Kryliya Sovetov
Saturn Moscow @ Shinnik Yaroslav

Sunday
Zenit St Petersburg @ Amkar Perm’
Lokomotiv Moscow @ Spartak Moscow
Luch-Energiya Vladivostok @ Dynamo Moscow
Terek Grozny @ Rubin Kazan

Monday
CSKA Moscow @ FC Moscow

Top eight of table	P	W	D	L	GS	GA	Pts
Rubin Kazan	27	18	6	3	42	17	60
CSKA Moscow	27	14	8	5	45	22	50
Dynamo Moscow	27	13	8	6	36	28	47
Amkar Perm’	27	12	8	7	26	20	44
Zenit St Petersburg	27	11	10	6	54	34	43
Spartak Moscow	27	11	10	6	40	33	43
Samara Kryliya Sovetov	27	10	11	6	40	25	41
Lokomotiv Moscow	27	10	8	9	31	29	38

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