A 1-1 Draw in Orenburg Keeps Lokomotiv Winless
Lokomotiv Moscow's search for a first league win continued after a 1-1 away draw against Orenburg in the fourth round of the Russian Premier League. Alexei Batrakov gave the visitors a third-minute lead with a curling finish after Alexander Silyanov intercepted a pass, but the Moscow side again struggled to protect an advantage.
Orenburg had a first-half equaliser by Damian Puebla ruled out after a handball by Gedeon Guzine in the build-up. The hosts kept pressing and drew level in the 63rd minute when substitute Andrei Kasadzhikov headed in after two knock-downs from a long throw-in sequence.
Orenburg had the better chances to win. Puebla earned a penalty, but goalkeeper Ilya Lantratov saved Kasadzhikov's spot-kick and then denied Evgeny Bolotov on the follow-up, with defenders clearing a third attempt. Renat Golybin also headed narrowly wide in stoppage time, leaving Lokomotiv relieved to take a point from a match they had led early.
Why Lokomotiv's Early Lead Keeps Slipping
Batrakov's Transfer Saga Is Producing Mixed Signals
Batrakov's third-minute goal was a reminder of the quality that made him Lokomotiv's top scorer in the previous two league seasons. But his overall start has been scratchy: before this match he had only one goal involvement and three yellow cards in three rounds. Turkish media reports that Galatasaray has improved its offer for the midfielder to about €28m. The goal does not resolve the uncertainty around his future, and his uneven early form can reasonably be read as part of that distraction, even if the club has not said so.
Lokomotiv Are Repeating Their Fragile Game-Management Pattern
After taking the lead, Lokomotiv sat deep and struggled to control the match, a pattern also seen earlier in games against Akhmat and Dynamo Makhachkala. Orenburg created repeated problems through throw-ins, set pieces and direct play, and only Lantratov's saves plus a disallowed goal prevented a defeat. The tactical shift to three centre-backs with Evgeny Morozov in midfield made the team more compact but did not give them a reliable outlet to sustain attacks.
The Squad Problem Is Getting Harder Before a Difficult Run
Lokomotiv are missing or have lost several players, including Dmitry Vorobyov, Danil Prutsev, Nikolay Komlichenko, Cesar Montes and Anton Mitryushkin. Artyom Karpukas did not travel to Orenburg reportedly because of a knee problem, and he is also linked with a move to Zenit. The next fixtures include CSKA Moscow, Dynamo Moscow, Baltika and Zenit, so the margin for recovering form is shrinking. This draw may stop the immediate bleeding, but it does not look like a turning point.
Comments 0