A seasoned football observer from Amkar Perm and Slovakia, Martin Yakubko, offered a take on the moment when Artem Dzyuba, the Lokomotiv striker, did not shake hands with Zenit head coach Sergei Semak. The remark surfaced through RB Sports and quickly drew attention in post‑match discussions.
Yakubko questioned the intensity of the reaction to the incident. He suggested there could be a complicated relationship between the two players or between Dzyuba and his former coach. He noted that what happened was not inherently warlike and pointed out that Semak himself reacted in a composed manner. In Yakubko’s view, Dzyuba often thrives on attention, and the surrounding media sometimes amplifies any spark into a larger story, fueling the spectacle more than the actual act itself.
The game concluded with Zenit edging Lokomotiv 2–1, a result that kept the Petersburg club in the mix while leaving Dzyuba without a goal from active moves, despite participating in most of the match. The moment with Semak was the focal point after the final whistle, rather than any on‑field scoring opportunities. Dzyuba later explained that he did not perceive the gesture from his former mentor and that, in the preceding season’s end, the dynamic between them had already altered. The striker had departed Petersburg in the summer, moving on from the club as the season wrapped up.
Commentary from veteran analyst Alexey Popov framed Dzyuba’s refusal to greet Semak as a window into the evolving relationship between player and coach, rather than a personal affront. Popov highlighted the broader context of coaching shifts, player confidence, and the delicate balance teams maintain when leadership changes occur during a season. The evolving narrative around Dzyuba’s sideline reactions reflects more than a single handshake or its absence; it epitomizes how a club’s identity and a player’s public persona can intertwine in a high‑pressure environment.
Observers emphasize that off‑field dynamics often color fans’ and journalists’ perceptions of a match. In this case, the handshake moment became a proxy for lingering tensions, choices about playing time, and the unavoidable scrutiny that accompanies high‑profile transfers and veteran players entering or leaving squads. The incident serves as a study in how quick, emotionally charged moments can overshadow a game’s actual on‑pitch action and how the media can transform a discrete action into a broader narrative about trust, leadership, and professional boundaries.