RPL Matchday 1
Lokomotiv Moscow 1-1 Pari Nizhny Novgorod
Sunday 17 July, RZD Arena, Moscow

Goals: Lokomotiv - Isidor (52); Pari NN - Krotov (72)
Sent off: Pari NN - Suleymanov (28)
Man of the Match: Nikolay Kalinsky (Pari NN)

RZD Arena welcomed two new head coaches, as Josef Zinnbauer made a debut for Lokomotiv, while Mikhail Galaktionov took charge of Pari Nizhny Novgorod keeping the job of Russia U-21 coach at the same time. There were three former Lokomotiv players making the start for the visitors, these are Nikolay Kalinsky, Ilya Berkovsky and Timur Suleymanov. The Railwaymen surprised with Daniil Khudyakov entering the pitch as number one, and Dmitry Barinov was announced as team captain for the season.

Suleymanov, who has four games in Lokomotiv’s shirt, became the antihero, he was booked twice in three minutes for fouls in the air and was sent off. This marked his first red card in the senior career. The Red-Greens used this advantage after the half-time, when Anton Miranchuk pass found Wilson Isidor, and the Frenchman sent the ball to the right corner. Nevertheless the hosts could not keep the lead, 20 minutes later Vyacheslav Krotov netted the ball with his head after head assist from Kalinsky, last season team top scorer. Ex-Spartak player scored for the first time since April 2021, and his shorthanded goal saved a point for Nizhny Novgorod team.

Next RPL fixtures: Sunday 24 July - Khimki vs Pari NN, Lokomotiv vs Rostov