Lokomotiv hit back to hold Beşiktaş to draw
Thursday, November 5, 2015
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Beşiktaş 1-1 Lokomotiv Moskva
Baye Oumar Niasse's fine UEFA Europa League form continued as Group H leaders Lokomotiv ended a three-game losing streak.
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- Beşiktaş and Lokomotiv Moskva both extend unbeaten Group H starts
- Beşiktaş have now scored once in each of their last seven European games
- Baye Oumar Niasse has three goals and three assists in the 2015/16 UEFA Europa League
- Beşiktaş are 12 matches unbeaten; Lokomotiv end three-game losing run
- Next games: Lokomotiv v Sporting CP, Beşiktaş v Skënderbeu (26 November)
Group H leaders Lokomotiv Moskva stood firm to secure a 1-1 draw against a spirited Beşiktaş side as Baye Oumar Niasse shone again.
The Senegal striker, 25 took his tally to three in four UEFA Europa League outings by cancelling out substitute Ricardo Quaresma's opener to keep the Russian outfit firmly on course for the round of 32.
Beşiktaş dominated possession and spent good portions of the first hour camped in Lokomotiv's half, but the hosts had to wait until almost an hour before half-time substitute Quaresma broke the deadlock.
A Gökhan Töre cross was punched clear by Guilherme, yet only as far as the former Barcelona, Internazionale and Porto attacker. Quaresma controlled on the chest before firing a low left-footed effort beyond the goalkeeper.
Another replacement, Aleksei Miranchuk, was also instrumental in Lokomotiv's equaliser. Miranchuk found Niasse, who demonstrated great composure to find the right angle and then class in putting the ball beyond Tolga Zengin.
There were chances for a winner, with both goalkeepers coming to the rescue. Guilherme was alert to close-range efforts from Necip Uysal and Ersan Gülüm, while Tolga denied Petar Škuletić twice.
Inspired change
Olcay Şahan was one of the busiest players in the first half and coach Şenol Güneş's decision to replace him at half-time caused a bit of eyebrow raising. However, it proved inspired as replacement Quaresma struck within 13 minutes.
Niasse's rise continues
One of the breakthrough stars of this UEFA Europa League campaign, Niasse is no stranger to Turkey having spent 2013/14 at Akhisar Belediyespor. He reminded everyone what they have been missing with a neat trick to create space before a clinical finish.
Beşiktaş need win
Over the past two matchdays, Beşiktaş's problem has been conceding first. They drew first blood this time, but a third successive 1-1 Group H draw was not what they were after – only a win will do when they host Skënderbeu in three weeks.