Moscow: Russian league leaders Lokomotiv Moscow face bitter city rivals CSKA on Sunday with their morale having been bruised by a first loss in the Europa League this season which compromised their hopes of making the knockout rounds.
Lokomotiv gave up a one-goal lead to lose 2-1 to Sheriff Tiraspol on Thursday, a defeat which saw them slip from top spot to third in Group F with two games left.
They still top the Russian Premier League, three points clear of Roberto Mancini’s Zenit St Petersburg who they defeated 3-0 last weekend while CSKA sit third, four points further back.
“Today my men lacked freshness. They looked rusty and slow after Sunday’s meeting with Zenit,” admitted Lokomotiv coach Yury Semin.
CSKA revived their hopes of making the Champions League knockout stages with a 2-1 win at Basel in midweek.
“My team proved they have strong character. We’re happy to stay in the race for a place in the next round,” said coach Viktor Gancharenko.
“Now we need to focus on the match with Lokomotiv. They looked really impressive against Zenit.”
Meanwhile, reigning champions Spartak Moscow, who suffered a 2-1 defeat at Sevilla in Wednesday’s Champions League action, will try to narrow the gap on the Premier League leaders by beating Ufa on Sunday.
However, Ufa are unbeaten in their last five league games.
