Russian champions Rubin Kazan began their...
In the final game of the weekend, which had already seen victories for title challengers CSKA Moscow and Zenit St. Petersburg, Spartak"s hopes of continuing last season"s strong showing took an early blow with a 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Moscow rivals Dynamo.
In Kazan, Rubin substitute Andrei Gorbanets broke the deadlock in the 87th minute and Alexander Bukharov, captain of a side missing Sergei Semak, Alexander Ryantsev, Cristian Ansaldi and Roman Sharonov, sealed the victory three minutes later with his fourth goal of the season.
Lokomotiv were also under strength, with midfield star Dmitry Torbinsky and defender Rodolfo both out, and the sides largely canceled each other out on an awful pitch.
The first goal came almost from nowhere, as Christian Noboa sent Gorbanets down the right and the substitute, on for Alan Kasayev in the 76th minute, cut inside past Renat Yanbaev and beat Guilerme with a shot that went in off the woodwork.