Alexander Mostovoy, the former Celta player, argues that Lokomotiv Moscow relies heavily on its striker Artem Dzyuba. He shared his perspective with vprognoze.ru, pointing to the team’s tactical imbalance that appears more pronounced whenever Dzyuba is unavailable. According to Mostovoy, Zenit will likely win 2:1 because Lokomotiv shows a dangerous overdependence on the forward. He observed that when Dzyuba is present, Lokomotiv often routes play through long passes and direct raids toward goal, and that their build-up seems to stall when he is not on the pitch. The general impression, he noted, is that the moment Dzyuba is absent, Lokomotiv seems to pause, look for options, and miss a clear focal point in the attack. This pattern, in his view, has been evident in multiple matches this season, signaling a structural reliance on a single attacking reference point. The veteran footballer added that Dzyuba could be needed by the team again in future games, underscoring the ongoing dependency rather than a temporarily situational gap. (Cited: vprognoze.ru)
Lokomotiv Moscow and Zenit St. Petersburg are scheduled to clash on September 24, with the kick-off set for 16:30 Moscow time. This upcoming encounter marks a test for Lokomotiv to demonstrate resilience when lacking their principal goal threat, and for Zenit to verify their current form as the league progresses. The match will take place in the Russian Premier League calendar, a fixture that fans and analysts are watching closely as the teams bid to establish momentum in a competitive season. (Cited: league sources and match previews)
Artem Dzyuba joined Lokomotiv in the previous season and later extended his contract on a 1+1 basis. Prior to arriving in Moscow, the forward had spent time with Adana Demirspor in Turkey. Earlier in November 2022, the parties agreed to terminate the previous arrangement, making the move to Lokomotiv a pivotal turning point in his career. The current contract structure has been a topic of discussion among supporters who recall his previous club transitions and the expectations for his continued impact at Lokomotiv as the team navigates a challenging schedule. (Cited: club announcements and transfer records)
In the Russian Championship standings, Zenit holds the second position with 17 points, while Lokomotiv sits in eighth place with 12 points. These numbers underscore the competitive landscape in which both teams operate, highlighting Zenit’s continued status as a title challenger and Lokomotiv’s need to stabilize and climb the table. The balance between attacking potency and defensive solidity will likely influence the tactical decisions made by both sides in the upcoming clash. (Cited: league standings)
There has been commentary from Lokomotiv’s former president about Dzyuba’s expected presence in the Zenit match. He expressed the view that Dzyuba might receive limited attention from Zenit in that particular fixture, a claim that reflects the strategic considerations coaches weigh when facing a high-profile striker. This perspective contributes to the broader narrative around Lokomotiv’s dependence on a single target man and how opponents may adjust their defensive organization to mitigate that threat. (Cited: club leadership statements)