Lokomotiv Moscow striker Artem Dzyuba did not travel with the squad to the quarterfinal clash of the Path of Regions against Akron. The information came from an insider on a telegraph channel, who suggested that the move was taken as a precautionary measure. The report notes that Dzyuba was kept in Moscow to rest ahead of the upcoming league match and to mitigate any risk of fatigue ahead of a demanding schedule in the Russian Premier League (RPL). This decision aligns with the club’s strategy to shield the veteran forward from unnecessary travel on an artificial surface, which could heighten the risk of injury. The rationale presented is that keeping him in Moscow helps ensure his availability for key fixtures in the league, where his contractual bonuses are tied more closely to league performance than to cup results.
The upcoming one-off Russian Cup quarterfinal between Akron and Lokomotiv was scheduled for March 14 at 17:30 Moscow time, a detail confirmed by league organizers and widely reported by insiders. Those close to the club indicate that the choice to spare Dzyuba from the trip was part of a broader plan to balance cup ambitions with league responsibilities during a congested period of the campaign. The focus, according to those familiar with the team’s planning, was to preserve his fitness for the league run-in and to ensure that any potential progression in the cup would not come at the expense of the squad’s primary objective in the domestic championship. (insider source, telegraph channel).
Looking ahead to the Path of Regions fixtures on March 15 and 16, Lokomotiv fans can expect a slate of high-stakes matchups on the same road schedule. Zenit will face Dynamo in a traditional clash of the giants, while Krasnodar confronts Akhmat, and Pari Nizhny Novgorod meets Rostov. The arrangement underscores how the tournament schedule intertwines with the league calendar, often forcing clubs to weigh cup progress against league standings and player workload. Observers note that decisions like Dzyuba’s absence from the Akron trip reflect a wider trend in which teams prioritize visible star assets in league games that impact standings and European qualification hopes. (insider insight).
Earlier in the season, on February 8, Dzyuba signed a contract with Lokomotiv through the end of the campaign. In the first league match following the restart, the forward delivered a hat-trick against Rostov, a performance that underscored his value to the team when fully fit and integrated into the system. In the subsequent league match against Akhmat, however, the forward’s attempts to unlock the defense with decisive moves were stifled, and he failed to convert on scoring chances that would have altered the result. The contrast between those performances highlights how form, timing, and match context influence a player of Dzyuba’s caliber. (reporting compiled from club communications and match reports).
Former teammate and analyst Fedor Kudryashov has offered commentary on why Dzyuba did not succeed in Turkey, pointing to a combination of tactical adjustments, adaptation to new surroundings, and the typical challenges players can encounter when switching leagues. Kudryashov’s reflections add a layer of interpretation to the public narrative, suggesting that the player’s impact is closely tied to fit with the team’s tactical plan and to timely opportunities in front of goal. While opinions differ, the broader takeaway remains that performance is often a product of consistent minutes, team chemistry, and the right support around the forward in any given stretch. (attribution: Kudryashov remarks).