Lokomotiv Moscow’s Dmitry Barinov on Artem Dziuba’s leadership and impact
Dmitry Barinov, a midfielder for Lokomotiv Moscow, shared insights about Artem Dziuba, the club’s striker who joined as a free agent in February 2023. Barinov noted that Dziuba stepped into a leadership role the moment he arrived, and the clubhouse began to feel his influence right away.
Barinov explained that his own role as captain is complemented by Dziuba taking charge in the locker room. He emphasized a mutual exchange of support: Barinov assists Dziuba with on field tasks, and Dziuba helps Barinov with leadership and experience. The duo pointed to their history together with the national team, where they connected well, and said that bond remains strong as they push Lokomotiv forward.
Barinov added that the focus remains on the club’s success rather than outside chatter about Dziuba. The emphasis is on teamwork and shared goals, with both players contributing to the club’s performance on the pitch.
In a notable league moment, Dziuba produced a hat-trick in an away match against Rostov, guiding Lokomotiv to a 3-1 victory. This result helped the team climb the table and improve their standing after the round. With 16 points, Lokomotiv moved into 13th place, signaling momentum and a push toward higher positions as the season progresses.
Former Rostov coach Sergey Balakhnin offered perspective on Dziuba as he prepared for a match against Valery Karpin’s team later in the same round of the Russian Premier League. The discussions highlighted Dziuba’s readiness and the mood surrounding him as the competition intensified.