Locomotive standing outside the RZD-Arena in Moscow. Photo: Toke Theilade/RFN
Lokomotiv Moscow v Atlético Madrid – Thursday, 15th March, 16:00 GMT – RZD-Arena, Moscow.
Loko go into their second leg against Atlético with everything to do. They were simply outclassed and outmatched in Spain, going down 3-0 losers. Without both Jefferson Fárfan and Ari – Loko simply lack the quality up front in order to trouble the elite of the Europa League, never mind a team brimming with talent and unlucky not to be performing in the big sister competition.
Loko drew 0-0 away at Copenhagen in the group stages, by way of comparison, Diego Simeone’s men dispatched them with utter ease in the last round. I don’t expect Loko to get much here whatsoever, but do expect a goal and respectable performances at home in Moscow.
Tactical Analysis
Expect Semin to line Loko up with a back-five once again, such is the importance of keeping a clean sheet here. Their chances are low enough already, but concede and that is it. There’s no way Loko can put five past such a staunch defense. Look, the bottom line is that the tie was over as soon as Loko drew their Spanish counterparts, they were out. Atléti have conceded just 12 goals all season, and five of these were from set pieces – it doesn’t matter how good Loko are at home, or how strong their front line is, or how many players are out injured for the away side – there is absolutely no chance Simeone will allow his side to concede three in one game.
Semin usually approaches games looking to control possession and rely on the technical ability of his front four, and pace of his wing-backs to support. Igor Denisov and Aleksandr Kolomeitsev are expected to screen the defense, cover for Ignatiev and Rybus (or Lysov) and connect defense to attack, especially through the marauding trio just behind Fárfan. However, in the last leg, Semin approached the tie very differently with a much more defensive approach we have seldom seen from the railroaders this season.
Deploying a 5-4-1, Loko were designed to deny Atletico the space in between attack and defense where they thrive, while sitting deep in order to attempt to nullify the pace of Griezmann on the counter. Often te best tactic to beat Simeone has been to sit back and let his side hold the ball and dictate tempo. Some were surprised that both Miranchuk’s and Fernandes all started, but Semin obviously knew he could nil afford to miss any in order to get that away goal they so badly needed.
Unfortunately, Loko were unable to limit the space in behind the midfield, as Saúl Ñíguez took advantage of this and exposed Denisov’s lack of pace nor ability to protect his defense missing a partner in the defensive midfield pivot. As a result, the early lead Atleti accrued messed their whole game plan up immediately, pushed Loko 10-20 yards up the pitch and exposed the defense to the home side’s lethal counter attack. They are paying for it now, going into the game facing a much-weakened Atleti team, but three goals down in the tie.
Loko must be careful not to do the same here. I’d wager stating the same back 10, with maybe Kolomeitsev replacing one of the attacking midfielders to start, in order to nullify any early threat. Going for the jugular from the outset will be footballing suicide, and Loko need to stay calm and take every chances presented if they are to get through to the quarter finals.
Team News
Vladislav Ignatiev managed to avoid a booking in the last leg, and is therefore able to feature. However, he, Ari and Jefferson Fárfan all missed Monday’s match against Ural and are likewise doubtful once again. However, the Peruvian front man was expected to return for the second leg and may be able to feature at some point. He’s recovered from injury early before and has actually been somewhat reliable considering the injury fears he suffered in years prior, therefore I think the savvy, 70-year-old Semin may have a surprise up his sleeve. Either that, or I’m just hoping it’s anyone but Eder at this rate.
Loko will receive a boost when seeing Atlético’s team – they’re without the crucial trio of Jan Oblak, Diego Costa and Kevin Gameiro. The tie is all but over, yet is is still a seriously weakened team they’ll be facing.
Key Players
Vedran Ćorluka – The Loko captain played well on his return to the first team in the last leg and over the weekend. However, his experience at playing the top level will be key here. Loko aren’t exactly a side blessed with experience of going far in Europe nor leading a title charge, and his calming influence is an important asset.
Guilherme – Once again, a clean sheet is vital. Guilherme is overrated in my humble opinion, however is still able to put in a truly excellent shift and deserves his chance at glory this season after being such a loyal servant to the club.
Manuel Fernandes – Enter superlative here. Fernandes is quite simply the form player in Russia right now and a real delight to watch. His style is something different to the other superstars in the league (Promes and Smolov), as he centres his whole game around finesse, technical brilliance and incredible dribbling ability. He is most definitely Loko’s danger man back in Moscow.
Predicted Lineup
5-4-1: Guilherme – Vladislav Ignatiev, Vedran Ćorluka, Solomon Kverkvelia, Nemanja Pejčinović, Maciej Rybus – Anton Miranchuk, Igor Denisov, Manuel Fernandes, Aleksei Miranchuk – Jefferson Fárfan
Prediction
It’d truly be a spectacle if Loko could get anything out of this game, but I sincerely doubt it. Atlético simply have way too much quality, and though it’ll be a closer game than at the Wanda Metropitano a week ago, expect an away win.
Lokomotiv Moscow 1 – 2 Atlético Madrid
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