Ekaterinburg Ural and Moscow Lokomotiv played to a 2-2 draw in round eleven of the Russian Premier League, with the match staged at Ekaterinburg Arena. The result kept both sides in contention as the fight for positions heats up in the early part of the season. Ural struck first through Silvie Begic in the 12th minute, before Eric Bikfalvi levelled for the visitors in the second half at the 53rd minute. Lokomotiv responded with a reply from Artem Dzyuba just five minutes into the game, and Timur Suleymanov added a late equaliser in stoppage time, delivering a dramatic finish to a tightly contested encounter and denying Ural a potential three points at home. The game featured a key moment when Ilya Lantratov, Lokomotiv’s goalkeeper, saved a penalty twice in the 74th minute after a speculative strike from Ural midfielder Ilya Ishkov. The initial spot kick required a stop following an earlier infringement as Lucas Fasson, a guest defender, had entered the penalty area before the shot, compelling the referee to order a retake or a save. The sequence underscored the tension of the match as both sides pressed for the decisive goal.
Following the result, Ural rose to sixth place on 16 points, climbing nearer to the upper portion of the table as they continued to show resilience in both attack and defence. Lokomotiv, often lauded for their defensive structure and forward threat, maintained a strong position in the standings, occupying the third place, and demonstrating the consistency required to challenge for European qualification spots as the season progresses. The draw did not just affect positions; it served as a statement about the balance of power in this fixture, with each team contributing significant moments that highlighted the competitive nature of the league this season.
Looking ahead to the schedule, Ural will host Sochi in the next round, a match scheduled for October 22, and Lokomotiv are set to travel to Moscow to face Dynamo on October 21. These fixtures will test both teams’ capacity to convert chances and maintain discipline across 90 minutes, especially given the high tempo of recent matches and the tactical shifts employed by their respective managers. The recent results have provided important data points for Viktor Goncharenko and his Lokomotiv squad, and for Ural’s coaching staff as they prepare for away and home challenges while aiming to tighten up their defensive balance.
In the aftermath of the game, the Lokomotiv head coach offered remarks on Dzyuba’s recent playing form, signaling continued attention to the striker’s contribution to their attacking plans. This comment reflected ongoing evaluation of player fitness, decision-making, and match readiness as the team navigates a congested fixture list. The exchange, heard in post-match discussions, underscored the club’s approach to balancing squad rotation with the need to maintain consistency at the top end of the pitch. The match carried the broader implications of a league where every point matters and where individual performances are closely watched by fans, analysts, and the coaching staff alike. (Source: RPL match reports and official statistics.)