The former Lokomotiv Moscow coach Boris Ignatiev recently shared his views on the standout footballers from the rail workers’ club for the year 2023. He spoke about the players who shaped the season and made the most impact for the team in a way that reflected his long experience in the game.
Ignatiev highlighted several names, noting that Glushenkov and Karpukas stood out as the most reliable contributors. He also mentioned Tiknizyan as a player who consistently brought energy and quality to the squad, and he pointed to Sergei Pinyaev as a potential addition to the list, albeit with a caveat: his strongest value appeared in specific matches during his early integration with the team.
Among them, Karpukas earned particular praise as a key breakthrough for Lokomotiv in the latter part of the year. Ignatiev described him as a talented young player who has been growing rapidly, showcasing creativity and a capacity to influence games in meaningful ways. The coach suggested that the young forward is capable of taking on more responsibilities as he continues to develop his game and understanding of top-level competition.
Lokomotiv Moscow closed a recent matchday with a 2-0 victory over Ural in the 18th round of the Russian Premier League, a result that underscored the team’s upward trajectory and competitive form. The win added another positive note to what was already shaping up as a defining phase for the club in the standings and in terms of momentum heading into the next fixtures of the season.
In the context of the season’s first phase, Mikhail Galaktionov’s squad had earned a solid position, collecting a total of 31 points and holding a spot in the upper part of the table. At that juncture, the team stood seven points behind the league leaders, a gap that set the stage for a focused push as the schedule progressed. The performance across the initial rounds demonstrated resilience, depth, and the capacity to compete with the strongest sides in the league, while also showcasing the emergence of young talent who could become central figures for the club in the years to come.
These assessments come at a time when Lokomotiv has been recognized for its influence within the league and its potential to shape the competition in the seasons ahead. The mix of established players and up-and-coming talent has drawn attention to the club’s development strategy, the effectiveness of its scouting and coaching staff, and the ability to convert potential into tangible results on matchdays. The year 2023, in particular, highlighted the growth of several players who could be key assets as Lokomotiv seeks to climb the standings and challenge for higher honors in the national championship.