The new coach focuses on Artyom and the young players.

January. Dzyuba and Pinyaev were invited

Six players have been signed. Pinyaev and Glushenkov moved from Krylya Sovetov for modest money: 2.6 million euros each. Lantratov did not go to Zenit, they themselves refused, but Ilya strengthened Lokomotiv. The Khimki goalkeeper transferred for just 200 thousand euros. Conti and Smolnikov were taken as free agents, and Dzyuba turned out to be a “railwayman” in his old age in football. It wasn’t difficult to cope with the losses. Legionnaires Kerk and Jedvay didn’t try, Brazilian Pedrinho had a conflict with the managers, they don’t want to work with him. Rakognatsa and Mampassi were also loaned out. The managers did a great job, the new coach Galaktionov arrived at the end of 2022, they didn’t leave him alone on the eve of the spring part of the season.

February. Eliminated by Spartak

Lokomotiv finished last year in fourteenth place in the overall standings RPL, the situation was difficult. It was not possible to improve the match immediately, the “red and whites” were in better shape then, beating “Lokomotiv” in two cup matches. Abaskal could not think that he would get lost on the Path RPL “Ural” and will fly away from “Akron”. But Galaktionov soon realized who he was dealing with, because he also lost in a penalty shootout to Kaleshin’s team. The cup campaign was unsuccessful, but Lokomotiv tried to return to the days when strong-willed efforts helped Semin win trophies.

March. He won three matches RPL to contract

In the first round there was a terrible streak of five consecutive defeats. Galaktionov has a strange team. But the coach coped with the situation, took advantage of Dzyuba’s performance and was in no hurry to open up offensively. Lokomotiv was saved by goalkeeper Lantratov and luck smiled on the team. As a result, we beat Rostov and Akhmat – the most difficult journeys for everyone RPL. And Krasnodar won 3:2 on penalties at home. In April they achieved a fourth consecutive victory against Paris NN, ensuring a comfortable end to the season.

May. He ended the season with complete peace of mind

There was no pressure, we played for fun. Galaktion and Dziuba ended the championship with eight games without defeat. In the spring they only lost to Akron on penalties and to Zenit at home by 1:2. In most matches, Lokomotiv acted carefully, but there were exceptions. They scored five goals against Khimki and upset Dynamo four times. From Dzyuba after returning to RPL accumulated 8 goals and 5 assists after 11 games. Now one can only dream of such statistics. Excellent debut also for Glushenkov, 5 goals and 4 assists in 13 games.

August. I started very badly

Galaktionov received an understanding command. Promising composition. Lantratov and Dzyuba at both ends of the pitch are people who love to change the outcome of matches themselves. Captain Barinov in the center of the field. Tiknizyan on the left flank. Pinyaev and Glushenkov in attack. And in the supporting group, Miranchuk and Zhemaletdinov are two veterans with proven offensive instincts. And Lokomotiv didn’t pull as expected. The first five rounds until August 19 – a victory over “Fakel”, and not as clear as one might think from the score 1:4. Galaktionov overreacted and made a big mistake CSKA in the derby, he collected a series of draws. Dzyuba scored only one goal during this period. I have not yet come across Pinyaev, but he did not please me.

September. No fighters signed

The summer transfer campaign was not as brilliant and successful as the winter one. Lokomotiv said goodbye to many players. Kamano, Ignatiev and Zhivoglyadov became free agents. Pedrinho, Jedvay, Rakognac and Mampassi went on loan. The contract with Smolnikov was not renewed. Striker Kuhta, who returned to the Czech Republic for family reasons, went to Sparta for 2.5 million euros. Babkin was given to Krylia Sovetov, and Isidora was rented to Zenit. With so many defeats, a lot of signings would be needed, but in reality there are three newcomers. Samoshnikov – Ilya, the coach did not find a place in the base on the defensive flank, used it on the attacking line. And also two nominal attackers: Sarveli and Suleymanov. Timur scored two goals and one assist, coming off the bench 11 times in just 137 minutes. But Sarveli played only six games, he appeared five times for a couple of minutes and did not score. But in September, after the transfer window closed, Lokomotiv managed to return to winning ways, winning three out of four matches.

November. We beat Zenit for the second time

Although Galaktionov could have been sacked, as Cherchesov was sitting in the stands during the derby against Spartak wearing a Lokomotiv scarf – he later realized his mistake and added a squad from his former club, the young mentor is was left in the company club Russian Railways. The financing is stable, the bench is long, they give away players, even to Zenit, like Isidora. Positive emotions at the end of the year are associated with victories over the St. Petersburg team. He managed to beat Semak twice in a row RPL. But Lokomotiv’s football does not arouse great emotions, well done Lantratov and Glushenkov, but for the rest questions have accumulated. Dzyuba has 4 goals and 3 assists, but he worked on his feet and in class. Artyom is not happy. Left wing Tiknizyan scored 6 goals and made 2 assists; in winter there will be talk of the Armenian’s departure again.

It’s been a stormy year for Lokomotiv. They went from fourteenth place in January to fourth place in the new season. But we must remember the mistakes in defense: 13th place RPL by the sum of the opponents’ possibilities and the differences in the game of talents, such as the 19-year-old winger Pinyaev. It is a pleasure to work with a team that includes Glushenkov, Tiknizyan, Suleymanov, Pogostnov, Morozov, Mitai, Maradishvili, Silyanov and Karpukas. They are all under twenty-five years old, the core is young. But in the new year it is important to accelerate the predominantly Russian team to a different pace. They can play more consistently, the main achievement of 2023 for Lokomotiv.