Lokomotiv vs Rodina Moskva

Lokomotiv named a strong starting XI featuring Ilia Lantratov as captain, a defensive trio of Tin Jedvaj (Fasson), Egor Pogostnov, and Gerzino Nyamsi, with midfielders Lucas Vera and Alexander Kovalenko — the latter making his debut after joining on loan from Sochi earlier in June. Sergey Pinyaev, Zelimkhan Bakaev, and Dmitry Vorobyov led the attack.

The opening stages were a battle for control. Lokomotiv held slightly more possession but created little until the 10th minute, when Bakaev combined with Maksim Nenakhov and Kovalenko on the left, cut inside, and struck the inside of the near post from a tight angle.

Rodina responded with two dangerous spells. First, a player was played through from the right flank and fired over from a central position. Then, moments later, Lantratov produced a sharp double-save to keep the score level — his finest moment of the first half.

Lokomotiv grew into the half. Vadim Rakov curled a free kick from the right edge of the box over the bar, and then from a Lucas Vera set piece, Fasson won the header and knocked it down for Rakov, whose crisp volley was blocked by a cluster of Rodina defenders on the goal line. Pinyaev's long-range strike curled just wide of the far post in stoppage time.

Both teams made wholesale changes at the interval — every outfield player replaced on each side. Sixteen different Lokomotiv players saw action, with Danila Veselov taking over in goal.

Rodina pressed higher in the second half. Veselov was forced into a close-range save early on. At the other end, Lokomotiv hit the crossbar through Vladislav Eremeev after a flowing move, and then Aleksandr Rudenko dribbled to the edge of the box and forced the Rodina goalkeeper into a sprawling stop. Nikita Saltykov also tested the keeper with a powerful strike aimed at the top corner.

The only booking of the afternoon went to Lokomotiv's Dmitry Chevardin.

There was no single decisive moment in a game that lacked a goal. The closest either side came was the woodwork — Bakaev's first-half post and Eremeev's second-half crossbar. Both teams treated the match as a fitness exercise, rotating all 22 outfield players, and the 0-0 scoreline fairly reflected the even nature of the contest.

• Alexander Kovalenko (Lokomotiv) — The 22-year-old midfielder made his debut shortly after arriving on loan from Sochi. Linked well with Nenakhov and Bakaev in the first half and showed sharp passing range in his 45-minute cameo.
• Ilia Lantratov (Lokomotiv) — Made two important saves in quick succession during Rodina's best first-half spell, demonstrating sharp reflexes in his sole competitive outing before being replaced at half-time.
• Vadim Rakov (Lokomotiv) — Lokomotiv's most creative outlet in the first half. Won the free kick that led to danger and was denied by a goal-line block after Fasson's knock-down.
• Rodina back line — The promoted side's defence, marshalled by captain Ivan Meshchaninov, held firm across both halves, blocking multiple efforts on the line and recovering well from counter-attacks.

Player of the match: None officially awarded. Lantratov's double save and Rakov's all-round work were the standout contributions in a game short of individual brilliance.

The provider payload records 0-0 at full time. The official Lokomotiv match report confirms two woodwork strikes (Bakaev post, Eremeev crossbar), at least three quality saves (Lantratov double, Veselov close-range stop, Rudenko effort saved), and a goal-line block. Both sides used two entirely different lineups — 11 men each half for Lokomotiv, the same for Rodina — which tells you this was a fitness-building exercise first and a competitive match second. The absence of a live broadcast (confirmed by the club) and the training-ground venue underline the pre-season context.

Lokomotiv begin their RPL campaign at home to Akhmat Grozny in the opening round of the 2026/27 season. Rodina, making their historic top-flight debut, travel to Spartak Moscow on matchday one. For Rodina, this friendly continues their preparation after winning the First League with 68 points in 2025/26 — Artem Maksimenko (17 goals) finished as the division's top scorer, while Jordy Reyna (8 assists) led the creative charts.

Lokomotiv's next scheduled friendly has not been confirmed by the club at the time of writing. Rodina will play further pre-season tests under head coach Juan Díaz, the 48-year-old Spanish tactician who led them to promotion.

A flat, goalless draw that told us more about fitness levels than footballing quality. Bakaev's post and Eremeev's crossbar were the closest either side came, and with 22 substitutions across the afternoon, the scoreline was inevitable. Useful conditioning for both camps; nothing more.