Photo: DalmacijaNews
So far, so good in Mother Russia.
Former Croatia coach Slaven Bilić got off on the right foot Friday night as his Lokomotiv Moscow side came from behind to defeat Mordovya 3-2 on the first day of the 2012-13 Russian Premier League. Croatian defender Vedran Ćorluka, who made the switch to Moscow from London this summer, received the start and scored the game-winning goal in the 38th minute off a header following a cross. The strike capped off a an electric sequence where Lokomotiv scored three times in nine minutes during the first half.
Lokomotiv have only Russia to worry about this year as they did not qualify for Champions League or Europa League. Expectations are not too high for the club, which means Bilić and company can afford to experiment, and even have a string of bad results. Ćorluka will finally play regular football, week in and week out, which can only be good for the national team.
What expectations do you have for Ćorluka and Bilić this season?
Ćorluka header @ 1:00
Ne daj se Luka
Modric to be fined 80,000 for missing US tour.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/jul/22/andre-villas-boas-spurs-luka-modric?newsfeed=true
Petric scores another 2 goals for Fulham! Good to see.
Russia get 2 CL spots (1 automatic, 1 through Non-Champions route) and 4 Europa League spots (1 via Russian Cup).
Corluka!!!
I’m happy for them, and this year Bilic is either going to surprise people or be very mediocre, hopefully it’s the former.
Does anyone know how many russian teams go to the Champions league, is it 3 or 2? I don’t feel like googling it.
@ AZ
Yep, he even started in the match and got subbed off later, I believe.
did dujmovic get to play for Mordovia in that match?
well atleast corluka is getting playing time now… & maybe bilic can bump them up a few spots in the table…if hes in the right mood…we all know how brutal a bilic tactical off day can be
honestly, I don’t care 😀
Lokomotiv will barely qualify for Europe next season in all likely. Zenit, CSKA, Spartak and maybe Rubin and Anzhi are better teams