Khimki midfielder Zelimkhan Bakaev has become part of a wider conversation about player conduct after a recent league match. He publicly told reporters that he does not drink alcohol and would not encourage others to drink either, presenting his personal lifestyle as a model for younger teammates and aspiring professionals. Bakaev’s comments came amid a season when teams and coaches stress discipline as a factor in performance and consistency on the pitch.
On October 12, Maxim Glushenkov appeared on the SBG Show channel and spoke about postgame rituals, clarifying that drinking after a game is not unusual in football circles. He described the approach as a classic practice, noting two beers after a match as part of the typical routine for some players and teams. The remarks sparked a broader debate about what constitutes healthy postmatch behavior and how clubs manage players’ habits.
In the 12th round of the Russian Premier League, Bakaev delivered a standout performance, scoring twice to propel Khimki to a decisive 2-0 victory over Lokomotiv. His goals provided a critical win for the home side, showcasing his sharp eye in front of goal and helping Khimki demonstrate fighting spirit in a challenging campaign. The result underscored Bakaev’s importance to the squad and added momentum to Khimki’s efforts to climb away from danger.
Socialbites.ca carried an online text broadcast of the encounter, offering fans minute-by-minute updates, match statistics, and postmatch reactions. The live coverage helped supporters stay connected with a game played behind closed doors at times and allowed followers to track the evolving standings as Khimki gained ground in the table. The publication’s updates also highlighted how the crowd and supporters reacted to Bakaev’s brace and Khimki’s collective resilience.
Thanks to the victory, Khimki moved out of the relegation zone and into 12th place on 11 points. The win provided a much-needed lift for a club navigating a tough season, where every point can influence morale, confidence, and approach in upcoming fixtures. The new position offered a clearer path to safety, though the battle around the bottom of the table remained intense with several teams within sight of the relegation line.
Lokomotiv sits on 27 points, remaining within a competitive range of the leaders, while Krasnodar continued to top the standings. The match result reshaped the early-season dynamics by keeping the title race open and leaving Lokomotiv with fresh motivation even as the gap to the summit persisted. The dynamics at play illustrate how a single result can ripple through the league’s upper half, affecting both expectations and planning for the weeks ahead.
Bakaev’s brace underlined his role as a key contributor to Khimki’s attack while also drawing attention to the broader discussion about athlete routines. His stance on alcohol is part of a wider conversation about daily choices, training discipline, and professional mindset influence performance, consistency, and longevity in modern football. Coaches and analysts alike note that leadership from players on and off the field can shape a team’s culture and results over a long season.
In another development, a former Russian football player was disqualified for a kick to the head, reminding readers that disciplinary matters remain a constant thread in the sport. The news, while not directly connected to the Khimki-Lokomotiv clash, reflects ongoing scrutiny of conduct and safety standards that govern players, officials, and the public perception of the game.