Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tashkent: Coach Vadim Abramov will ring the changes as continental debutants Lokomotiv seek to claim a first-ever win in the AFC Champions League at home to Iran champions Foolad Khouzestan on Wednesday.
The Uzbekistan Cup winners lost last week’s Group C opener 3-1 to 2014 finalists Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia having also claimed a runner-up finish in the domestic top-flight last season to earn a maiden AFC Champions League appearance.
Lokomotiv fell two-goals behind inside the first 15 minutes in Riyadh, and despite Sardor Mirzayev netting before half-time, Al Hilal made sure of the win with just under 20 minutes remaining.
“We will make some changes tomorrow to our squad if we compare it to the game against Al Hilal,” said Lokomotiv coach Abramov.
“Lokomotiv haven’t won a match in this competition and we want to reach our first victory. Our aim is to win our first match in the ACL.
“The team is ready for the game and all of our players are available to play against Foolad.
“We didn’t know that Foolad are unbeaten in the last nine games in the AFC Champions League, so will look to break our unsuccessful run as well as Foolad’s unbeaten run.
“We will try to score early as it will give us motivation.”
Foolad coach Dragan Skocic will be forced into at least one change with midfielder Mehdi Badrloo suspended after the midfielder was sent-off in last week’s goalless draw at home to Qatar’s Al Sadd.
Last week’s stalemate means Foolad are unbeaten in their last nine games in the AFC Champions League having exited in the Round of 16 last year despite losing a game.
Skocic’s side, though, have failed to win in their last three outings in all competitions having lost their last two Iran Pro League fixtures prior to last week’s draw with Al Sadd.
“There are strong teams in our group and all the teams have equal chances. I think each team can go to the final of the tournament from our group,” said Foolad coach Skocic.
“I watched Lokomotiv`s game in the first round. They lost concentration in the beginning and conceded goals, but they played good football in that game.
“We couldn`t win in the last three matches, but such events happen sometimes.
“We have strikers who can play very fast and they can create dangerous moments.”