Former CSKA Moscow midfielder Evgeny Aldonin offered an eye on the coming face-off between Lokomotiv Moscow and CSKA, noting that the capital club will rely on Artem Dzyuba to trouble the army’s defense in the 24th round of the Russian Premier League. The remark appeared in coverage from Euro-Football.Ru and set the stage for a clash that fans have circled on their calendars.
Aldonin stopped short of making this a personal duel, instead stressing that Dzyuba has performed well in short bursts so far this season. In his view, the current season presents a familiar test for the striker, who has long accumulated experience in Russia’s top flight. For Dzyuba, the campaign has been like a book he has already read many times—the pages familiar, the reading comfortable, and the stakes unmistakably high as both teams fight for a decisive result.
Dzyuba, 34, joined Lokomotiv in February, stepping into a squad hungry for momentum. In eight appearances since the transfer, he has produced six goals and four assists, underscoring his continued impact in front of goal and his ability to influence matches with creative partnership play. This run has helped Lokomotiv press for a higher position and exert pressure on the league’s other contenders as spring action unfolds.
The CSKA versus Lokomotiv game is scheduled for April 23 at the VEB Arena in Moscow, with kickoff at 19:30 Moscow time. Stadium atmospheres promise intensity as both sides seek to maximize points in the closing stretch of the season, and fans will be watching how Dzyuba and his teammates respond under the bright lights of a high-stakes Moscow derby. The fixture stands as a crucial test for Lokomotiv’s attacking options and for CSKA’s defensive organization as they chase a top-four finish and a chance at European qualification next season.
Following 23 rounds in the Russian Premier League, Lokomotiv sits on 28 points, occupying tenth place in the standings and aiming to climb higher as fixtures continue to stack up. CSKA, meanwhile, holds fourth with 44 points, a tally that reflects a blend of consistent performances and moments of urgency in the attacking third. The upcoming match will be a window into how both teams balance ambition with discipline as the league pushes toward its final chapters. This showdown also keeps alive the narrative around Dzyuba’s role in Lokomotiv’s plans, and whether the striker can unlock the defense that has so far contained him in past encounters. [Source attribution: Euro-Football.Ru]
Earlier reports linked Lokomotiv with discussions around bringing in a point of reference in attack, and Dzyuba’s arrival has been a focal point of those conversations. The decision to add the experienced forward was framed as a strategic move to sharpen Lokomotiv’s attacking options and provide a reliable presence up front in the closing weeks of the season. As anticipation builds, analysts and fans alike will watch how the veteran forward translates his league knowledge into practical advantage against CSKA’s organized backline. [Source attribution: Euro-Football.Ru]