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Despite Morientes` bravado, AS Monaco crushed under Lokomotiv impact
Moscow, Feb 25: Reactions to Lokomotiv beating Monaco 2-1 in snowy Moscow.
Moscow, Feb 25: Reactions to Lokomotiv beating Monaco 2-1 in snowy Moscow.
Goals by Marat Izmailov and Vladimir Maminov gave Lokomotiv Moscow a deserved 2-1 win over Monaco in their Champions League first knockout round, first leg match on Tuesday. The Russians dominated the first half, played as light snow was falling on the pitch, with Lokomotiv's Georgian striker Mikheil Ashvetia wasting two good chances in the opening 15 minutes. Russian international Izmailov finally put the home side ahead in the 32nd minute after evading two defenders and sending a rising shot into the top of the net.
Taking advantage of a dummy run by Dmitry Khokhlov, Izmailov collected Dmitry Loskov's cross from the left at the edge of the penalty area before calmly beating his markers and firing past helpless Monaco keeper Flavio Roma.
Maminov doubled the lead 14 minutes into the second half, beating Roma with a low shot into the far corner after a series of ricochets.
Moments later Loskov missed a great opportunity to put the game out of reach for the French Ligue 1 leaders but missed from close range after a nice set-up by Izmailov.
That miss came back to haunt the Russians as Fernando Morientes pulled one back for the visitors in the 59th minute, the Spanish forward heading in a Jerome Rothen free kick after being left unmarked at the far post.
Lokomotiv substitute James Obiorah then wasted an even better chance to restore a two-goal lead two minutes from time but the Nigerian fired well wide with Roma at his mercy.
Obiorah's miss coupled with Monaco's away goal could prove costly for the Russians going into the second leg on March 10.
The match was played amid tight security following a bomb blast in the Moscow metro this month that killed at least 39 people.
Bureau Report
Goals by Marat Izmailov and Vladimir Maminov gave Lokomotiv Moscow a deserved 2-1 win over Monaco in their Champions League first knockout round, first leg match on Tuesday. The Russians dominated the first half, played as light snow was falling on the pitch, with Lokomotiv's Georgian striker Mikheil Ashvetia wasting two good chances in the opening 15 minutes. Russian international Izmailov finally put the home side ahead in the 32nd minute after evading two defenders and sending a rising shot into the top of the net.
Taking advantage of a dummy run by Dmitry Khokhlov, Izmailov collected Dmitry Loskov's cross from the left at the edge of the penalty area before calmly beating his markers and firing past helpless Monaco keeper Flavio Roma.
Maminov doubled the lead 14 minutes into the second half, beating Roma with a low shot into the far corner after a series of ricochets.
Moments later Loskov missed a great opportunity to put the game out of reach for the French Ligue 1 leaders but missed from close range after a nice set-up by Izmailov.
That miss came back to haunt the Russians as Fernando Morientes pulled one back for the visitors in the 59th minute, the Spanish forward heading in a Jerome Rothen free kick after being left unmarked at the far post.
Lokomotiv substitute James Obiorah then wasted an even better chance to restore a two-goal lead two minutes from time but the Nigerian fired well wide with Roma at his mercy.
Obiorah's miss coupled with Monaco's away goal could prove costly for the Russians going into the second leg on March 10.
The match was played amid tight security following a bomb blast in the Moscow metro this month that killed at least 39 people.
Bureau Report