Lokomotiv and Akhmat played out a 1–1 draw in the opening round of the Russian Premier League at RZD Arena in Moscow.
The hosts took the lead in the eighth minute through Zelimkhan Bakayev. Akhmat equalised seven minutes from time, with substitute Erald Maksuti finding the back of the net.
Akhmat head coach Stanislav Cherchesov spoke to the media after the match.
— We did not start the game well, and it was not a matter of our approach, but of a mistake that led to a goal out of nothing. We reorganised in the first half and wanted to score, and at half-time we changed a few things. In the end, we came away with a draw. Both we and our opponents wanted to win. The score is there on the scoreboard.
— How satisfied were you with the debuts of the team's new signings?
— Adamov and Shchetinin are not newcomers to the Russian Premier League. Maksuti came off the bench and scored—that is exactly why we signed him. The first competitive match after pre-season is never easy for any club. I saw a real battle out there from both teams.
— Did the impact of your substitutions change your thinking about what your starting line-up should look like this season?
— We do not look at it that way. We have a match against Spartak coming up, and we need to analyse it first. We also need to see what shape we are in going into that game. I am pleased with Melkadze's commitment—he works hard and puts the team first. Of course, there were aerial duels he needed to win. But before making any decisions, we need to assess the condition of the entire squad ahead of the Spartak match.
— What enabled your team to turn the game around?
— The players know themselves what they were doing wrong. There was no emotional dressing-down from me at half-time, but there were certain things they needed to be reminded of, and we addressed them. I saw the work we put in throughout all three training camps, and I know the level of our preparation. I was not surprised by the way we improved in the second half. That said, I have only seen the first signs of what we have been working on. I still need to think about how we can make this team even stronger.
— Did conceding an early goal force you to change your game plan?
— We were not charging forward even before the goal. Football is all about organisation. I told the players that under no circumstances should they abandon the game plan after going 1–0 down. In the end, it paid off, although we would have liked to go on and snatch the winner.
— How long had you been monitoring Maksuti, and what qualities convinced you to sign him?
— We work in football, so we know what is happening and where. I do not need to watch a player for very long. If a player has the right qualities, you see them straight away. Erald is a young player. Clubs in Italy were interested in him as well, but he chose to join us.
— Given your team's second-half performance, are you satisfied with the result?
— You always want to win. Lokomotiv are a strong side, but I also believe we were the better team in both meetings with them last season.
Lokomotiv vs Akhmat 1–1 (1-0)
26 July 2026, Kick-off: 5:00 p.m.
Moscow, RZD Arena. Attendance: 10,051
Weather: 17°C, cloudy, rain
Referee: Levnikov (St Petersburg)
Assistant referees: Yermakov (St Petersburg), Vereteshkin (St Petersburg)
VAR: Fyodorov (Petrozavodsk), Kukulyak (Kaluga)
Lokomotiv: Mitryushkin, Nyamsi, Morozov, Fasson (Nenakhov, 58), Silyanov, Batrakov, Karpukas, Pinyaev (Kovalenko, 68), Bakayev (Saltykov, 68), Rakov (Dzhikiya, 83), Rudenko (Golubev, 83)
Head coach: Mikhail Galaktionov
Akhmat: Sheliya, Ibishev (Ndong, 78), Tsake, Bogosavac, Adamov, Ismael (Maksuti, 78), Romao, Kasintura, Sadulayev (Kenzhebek, 59), Samorodov (Shchetinin, 68), Melkadze
Head coach: Stanislav Cherchesov
Goals: Bakayev 8' (1–0), Maksuti 83' (1–1)
Bookings: Nyamsi 13', Fasson 54', Batrakov 88'
