March shines for Artem Dzyuba as Bulykin commends Lokomotiv’s star striker
Dmitry Bulykin, a former star of the Russian national team, lauded Artem Dzyuba for his impact at Lokomotiv during March, when the forward emerged as the club’s top weapon in front of goal. The veteran forward recalled Dzyuba’s memorable hat trick against Rostov, noting that such standout performances often shape the perception of a player as the best in a given period. Yet Bulykin also observed that the award for March carries limited prestige and that Dzyuba, like many talented players, tends to downplay individual recognitions. The real measure of progress, according to Bulykin, lies in how the team responds after the international break and how victories accumulate in the standings.
It is important to remember that Dzyuba had not appeared in the Russian Premier League since the close of the previous season. In February, he agreed to a six month contract with Lokomotiv after spending the prior period with Adana Demirspor in Turkey. This return marked a new chapter for the forward, with expectations that his experience would bolster Lokomotiv’s attacking options and spark the squad as they navigated a demanding schedule.
Upon rejoining the league, Dzyuba wasted little time making his presence felt. He found the back of the net four times across three appearances, underscoring his keen eye for goal and his ability to influence matches with decisive moments. The standout feat remains his hat trick against Rostov, complemented by a clinical strike against Krasnodar in the final round, sealing a productive period for the forward and contributing to Lokomotiv’s confidence as they pushed for crucial results late in the season.
During March, the Russian national team conducted two friendly fixtures. In the match against Iran, the teams settled for a draw, reflecting a cautious balance as players continued to adjust to new tactical setups under their coaching staff. Three days later, the squad travelled to St. Petersburg and defeated Iraq 2-0, a result that offered valuable match experience and helped refine preparation ahead of upcoming competitive fixtures.
Former Lokomotiv forward Valery Karpin later stated that Artem Dzyuba would no longer receive invitations to the national team, not due to age but rather on the basis of football qualifications and current form. This assessment underscored the evolving evaluation process for national team selections, where recent performances, consistency, and tactical fit are weighed heavily as the pool of players is continually reassessed for international duty.