The CSKA and Russian national team stalwart Igor Diveev drew a striking comparison between Artem Dziuba, who captains Moscow’s Lokomotiv, and Romelu Lukaku, the powerful Belgian forward who stars for Inter Milan. Diveev painted a vivid portrait of Dziuba, highlighting a signature edge that sets him apart on the field.
“There are players in the Russian Premier League who shield the ball with their backs just as effectively as Lukaku does,” Diveev said in a recent interview. “When Artem Dziuba has the ball, he carries a life trick against defenders: he can pull your jersey from the right, and if you step out from the left, he simply drags you across, then turns you the other way with a well-timed grab of the shirt.” Diveev spoke during a broadcast segment on YouTube’s Comments Show.
Standing as a reminder of Dziuba’s journey, it is noted that he has not appeared in the Russian Premier League since the end of the previous season. In February, he agreed to a six-month deal with Lokomotiv, following a stint earlier in the year with Adana Demirspor in Turkey. The move marked another chapter in a career marked by resilience and notable comebacks in unfamiliar leagues.
Upon his return to top-tier Russian football, Dziuba hit the ground running. He found the back of the net four times across three league appearances, a quick-fire resurgence that included a hat-trick against Rostov and another strike against Krasnodar in the closing round of the campaign. Those performances underscored his enduring ability to influence decisive moments in important matches, even after periods of less sure form.
In broader managerial news, reports had circulated about a change in the coaching staff at Zenit, with former manager Vlastimil Petrzhela reportedly leaving the club. Within the national setup, Valery Karpin, the head coach of the Russian senior team, announced a selection philosophy that emphasizes limiting the inclusion of players over the age of 30 in the squad. It is important to note that this policy includes a clear exception for goalkeepers, who are not bound by the same age constraint as outfield players. The decision signals a strategic shift aimed at refreshing the squad while preserving essential leadership on the field.