Zenit conquered Lokomotiv, ending their unbeaten streak. Batrakov lost his magic in St. Petersburg

Zenit secured a home victory over Lokomotiv (2-0) in the 14th round of the RPL. This defeat marked Lokomotiv’s first loss in the last 20 league matches. For a long time, Lokomotiv struggled against Zenit, but their fortunes changed in the last two seasons, with Lokomotiv beating Zenit twice in 2023/24 and drawing twice in the previous season.
The impressive 19-match unbeaten streak of Lokomotiv in the RPL added a statistical charm to the upcoming game. Facing serious personnel problems, Lokomotiv missed their key defender Montes due to suspension and their top striker Vorobyev due to injury. On the other side, Zenit had Santos and Kassier out due to injury, fielding Aliyev and a surprising return of Zherson in the starting lineup.
In the attack, Zenit displayed a sharper and more direct approach. They opened the scoring early in the 9th minute through Glushenkov, who combined with Pedro for a quick goal. Lokomotiv struggled to find opportunities to equalize in the first half, with Zenit posing a consistent threat in attack. The defensive display of Zenit limited Lokomotiv’s attacking opportunities.
Batrakov, the top scorer for Lokomotiv, had a disappointing match. Zenit’s defense successfully contained him, limiting his impact on the game. In the second half, Lokomotiv had more possession but failed to capitalize on it. Zenit controlled the match and sealed the victory with a late goal from Mostovoy, assisted by substitutions Sobolev and Erokhin.
Zenit’s disciplined performance earned them a significant win, surpassing Lokomotiv in the league standings. Currently, Zenit occupies the second position, only one point behind the leader CSKA. Their upcoming fixtures provide an opportunity for Zenit to claim the top spot before the winter break.