The second front: the main intrigues of the Russian Cup semifinals

This week, the Russian Cup will host the decisive matches of the 1/2 finals in the Way of the RPL and the Way of the Regions. And if we already find out the final pair in the upper bracket, who will compete for participation in the Super Final at Luzhniki Stadium on June 1, then in the lower bracket, before the decisive match for the trophy, we will need to overcome two stages instead of one. Read more about all the layouts of the Russian Cup, as well as what awaits us in the upcoming matches of the tournament this week, in the Izvestia article.

The RPL Path

On Wednesday, April 16, the return matches of the 1/2 finals will take place on the RPL Route. And even though a month has passed since the first matches at this stage, it is unlikely that it will be appropriate to talk about the readiness of the teams, since all clubs compete in the championship in parallel and thus maintain their playing tone. In addition, in a tournament like the Russian Cup, the mood for a single match can give a lot. And to some extent, this gives a slight advantage to the nominal outsiders: just go out and win. And in the case of the RPL Path, it is also with an acceptable goal difference, since the winner here, as in the final of the upper bracket, is determined by the sum of two matches (as in the European Cup playoffs).

Perhaps the home field factor will also have an impact, where the team will be supported by a large number of fans, since Fan ID ("fan card") does not apply to Russian Cup matches until the Superfinal.

In this regard, it should be psychologically easier for Zenit and Dynamo. But if the Petersburgers return to Gazprom Arena with a minimal advantage over Rostov (1-0), then Dynamo Moscow will have to win back one goal at VTB Arena in the fraternal derby with CSKA (the first match ended with a 2-1 victory for the Army).

Marko Nikolic's team made an amazing move in the spring. So amazing that they can even compete for the championship. After a goalless draw with Zenit in the first game of the spring season, there is a series of five wins. And taking into account the cup match with Dynamo, it is out of six victories.

But Marcel Lichka's team cannot boast of such stability: in the seven matches played of the season since the beginning of spring, there have been two wins (over Dynamo Makhachkala and Orenburg), two draws (with Rostov and Paris NN), as well as three defeats (against Lokomotiv and two — from CSKA; 1:2 in the Cup and 1:3 in the championship). But the blue and white team suffered both of these defeats against the army, so there is a chance to rehabilitate themselves at home.

As for Zenit and Rostov, if you look at their form since the first meeting in the semifinals, you can see two directly opposite pictures: Zenit has one defeat in five matches (against Spartak), and Rostov has one victory in five matches. and that was a strong—willed victory over Akron (3-2). It will be interesting to watch how the Spanish specialist Jonathan sets up the team for a single match, where it is quite simple (although it will not be easy) to beat Zenit with a two-goal difference or reach the penalty shootout by scoring one unanswered goal. But at home, Zenit will clearly be charged to continue the victory banquet after defeating Krasnodar in the most important match of the spring in the RPL.

The final matches on the RPL Route will be held on April 29 – May 1 and May 13-15.

The path of Regions

The day before the matches on the RPL Route, four teams from different regions will determine their fate. Lokomotiv will host Akhmat Grozny, while Spartak will host Ural Yekaterinburg.

It will be very difficult for Mikhail Galaktionov's "railwaymen" to resist Akhmat, who currently fully corresponds to his residence permit in the city of Grozny. For a team fighting for survival, to have a six—match unbeaten streak is worthy of respect. Moreover, Akhmat drew 1-1 with the same Lokomotiv in early March. And also on the road. And here, again, the factor of one single match can give us a small cup sensation. Moreover, Loko has not won a single victory in the last three matches (a draw with Zenit and two defeats — sensational 1:5 from Krylia Sovetov and 0:1 from the sturdy middle-class Rubin). So there's a double—edged sword here: on the one hand, a cup match is a chance to rehabilitate yourself and catch your breath, and on the other, the risk of not only getting bogged down in a winless streak, but also losing your chances of actually winning the only possible trophy of the season.

"It is very important that we continue to play in the Cup, and now we have an important match with Lokomotiv,— Akhmat midfielder Miroslav Bogosavats told Izvestia. — We did a good job at the winter training camp, and this gives us a result — we beat Krasnodar in the Cup, have an eight-match unbeaten streak in the championship, have already got out of the relegation zone and almost got out of the transition zone. We have eliminated certain negative aspects — for example, we stopped conceding goals in the last minutes. It was a big problem for us in the autumn, although we were already playing good football and could have risen well in the table, but we lost a lot of points because of these goals. Now it has been removed and we are going very well. It is clear that the team is physically very well prepared — this is the result of heavy training camps under Tashuev. We are working to win every match. And we can do it in the match against Lokomotiv. He has a good team, but we already drew with them in Moscow in the championship in March (1-1). And we have shown that we can play on equal terms with them.

A lot will depend primarily on Akhmat's motivation, whether they will bet on the championship, the Cup, or try to stand on two fronts. And as practice shows, they can do it. Take the same unexpected away victory over Krasnodar in the previous stage of the Path of the Regions. Back then, Akhmat's business was even worse than the current one. That's why the cup tournament format is great.

And what about Spartak? After the sudden loss to Dynamo Makhachkala in the championship, it seemed that one could no longer think about the chances of a championship. How Zenit defeats Krasnodar and thus leaves a chance for other competitors to compete for the first place. Including Spartak, which is five points ahead of first place. Not to say that much, six rounds before the finish, but you need to understand that Krasnodar and Zenit are not asleep and won't let anyone near them.

So why shouldn't Spartak focus on winning the Russian Cup? With the available selection of players, the chances of a trophy here do not seem as slim as in the same championship. Just four wins and the cup is yours.

And the opponent, on paper, is the most convenient. At least because they belong to the First League. Of these, only Ural remained in the tournament, with which the red-and-white team will have to play. The Yekaterinburg club is currently fighting to return to the RPL, and it is only two points away from the coveted top 2, which entitles it to direct promotion. But there are plenty of competitors besides Ural: Torpedo, which is now just the second, Chernomorets, Sochi, and even SKA-Khabarovsk. The trophy is a trophy, but winning the Superfinal will not give Ural the right to play in the RPL next season. Will there be enough resources on two fronts? There are doubts. There is much less doubt about Spartak's victory. Although, as we know, the "people's team" is capable of surprising us all.

The matches of the second stage of the 1/2 finals of the Path of the Regions will be held on April 29 – May 1. The final of the lower bracket will be held on May 13-15.