In the final match of the ninth round of the Russian Football Championship, CSKA secured an away victory against outsider FC Sochi with a score of 3:1. A day earlier, current champions Krasnodar suffered their second defeat of the season, losing to Zenit, but still maintained their top position in the table.
Lokomotiv Moscow missed the chance to claim the top spot in the ninth round, conceding a goal in the final seconds in Kaspiysk after a dangerous free-kick. This marked their fifth consecutive draw. CSKA, on the other hand, seized their opportunity to climb to second place. Sochi remains at the bottom of the table with just one point, and new coach Igor Osinkin faces a tough challenge. However, his team performed creditably, even outplaying the visitors at times, and might have won if not for two penalties converted by Oblyakov. CSKA`s third goal came in the dying seconds into an empty net, as goalkeeper Dyupin had joined the attack. Watching such a performance, CSKA fans remember Marko Nikolic as almost a benchmark for coaching in the new millennium, although, arguably, under Slutsky ten years ago, the `Army Men` were a stronger side.
The comparison between that team and the current one comes from Match Premier TV commentator Roman Naguchev:
«That team was certainly stronger. This team is more flamboyant. They play visually lighter, making them easier to comment on. It feels like you`re not just working, but actually playing alongside such a team, because it`s so effortless. The previous team, however, was quite pragmatic, and that, incidentally, made them stronger. These players are still `fledglings.` There`s Igor Akinfeev, but all the other footballers are still developing.»
If they continue to develop, they will overcome the current dip in form. Meanwhile, Dynamo Moscow is showing signs of recovery, securing a 3:1 victory against Orenburg. Spartak also earned three points, winning 2:1 at home against Krylia Sovetov, who began defending their early lead too soon. Ugalde, who hadn`t scored since May, netted a brace. Stankovic, serving a one-month suspension, watched the match from the stands. However, the highest-quality battle of the round was between Krasnodar and Zenit. In a balanced and high-paced encounter, luck favored the visitors, with the St. Petersburg side winning 2:0, despite Krasnodar attacking more and failing to convert three clear goal-scoring opportunities. Here`s what USSR champion and UEFA Cup winner Igor Korneev had to say:
«The pace of the game, the chances created, the emotions—it was so captivating, you just didn`t want it to end. I had picked Krasnodar as favorites, 55 to 45, because they had looked more consistent and stable throughout the first nine matches, both in terms of results and play. However, we remember how Zenit can perform against them; last year, they simply tore their opponents apart. On the other hand, Zenit didn`t really create anything outstanding apart from those phenomenal moments. As for Krasnodar, I believe the team played a magnificent match. Krasnodar had multi-pass moves and excellent combinations, after which the ball miraculously just didn`t go into the net.»
Krasnodar fans might be disappointed, but then what about Sochi? The team certainly shows potential, yet shortly before facing CSKA, Spartak defeated them 2:1, with Barco heroically scoring both goals against the struggling side from penalty kicks. Bravo!
League Standings After Round 9
After the ninth round, the league table stands as follows:
- Krasnodar — 19 points
- CSKA — 18 points
- Baltika — 17 points (ahead of Lokomotiv on goal difference)
- Lokomotiv — 17 points
- Zenit — 16 points
- Spartak — 15 points
- Rubin — 15 points
- Dynamo — 12 points (8th position)
Upcoming Matches: Round 10 Preview
The tenth round of the Premier League will kick off on Friday, September 26, with a match between Krylia Sovetov and Dynamo. Most other top teams, with the exception of the leader, will play their matches at home. The Sunday clash between CSKA and Baltika promises to be a standout fixture. Krasnodar, meanwhile, will face a southern derby in Rostov-on-Don.
