Lokomotiv Moscow to qualify for UEFA Champions League next season – Russian Premier League Special
Since the appointment of Jose Couceiro as Lokomotiv Moscow head coach, he has been a revelation in the Russian Premier League. The Portuguese national has proven himself a success at the Russian club already. He has already won the hearts of the Parovozy
faithful in a very short span of time.
Having already tested his skills as the head coach for LFF I Lyga club, Kaunas and Turkish Super Lig club http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gaziantepspor-c39407, the former FC Porto boss decided to test his fate in the Russian Premier League ahead of other available opportunities. Despite his young
age, the Railway Men are already the ninth club in his professional career.
The former Sporting Lisbon head coach took over from Yuri Krasnozhan, who had to give in his resignation after a series of laggard performances by the team.
The Moscow-based club are yet to lose a league encounter since his arrival, and the 48-year-old has already added notable victories to his account. Prized scalps of league leaders, Zenit St. Petersburg, and the mega rich Russian club, Anzhi Makhachkala,
are just two of the names.
Since his arrival, Loko have made some key signings which have certainly influenced their performance in the league, Russian Cup and the UEFA Europa League.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Costa-c9458 followed his footsteps to the Railroaders shortly afterwards.
Couceiro knew that the time was right to go for the Nigerian national, after the relegation of East London club from the English Premier League. Obinna managed to score eight goals and provided nine assists in 32 appearances for the Hammers last season.
His next acquisition was the Ecuadorian national, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Felipe-Caicedo-c13525, from Levante. And what a signing he has been for the Russian club. Having joined Lokomotiv for a reported 10 million Euros fee, Caicedo has scored four goals already.
His last signing was the Spanish national, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alberto-c4309 Zapater, who had experience of playing in La Liga, Serie A and the Primeira Liga. The promising midfielder has been a regular starter under the Portuguese manager and has stunned his critics with astonishing
displays in the middle.
Lokomotiv are currently at the fourth spot on the league table. With four games in the league still to go, the Loko have a chance to qualify for the UEFA Champions League this season.
CSKA Moscow and Zenit are involved in the group stages of the UEFA Champions league, which will certainly deviate their attention from the league table. The Koni have been drawn against Inter Milan, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Trabzonspor-c40759 and OSC Lille, while the Meshki have been drawn
against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/FC-Porto-c39186, Apoel FC and Shakhtar Donetsk.
Zenit still have to play against the third placed Dynamo Moscow, while Dynamo Moscow still have difficult games ahead against the likes of Spartak Moscow and Rubin Kazan.
So, there is a little chance for the Red-whites to claim the second spot on the league table.
Under the custody of the Portuguese tactician, the Railroaders are enjoying top form at the moment. It looks like the recently appointed head coach, against all odds, will be the one to bring glory days back to Lokomotiv stadium.
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