The burden of the former: who will top the RPL table after the 7th round

The central game of the seventh round will certainly be the confrontation between CSKA and Krasnodar — this is a match for the opportunity to take first place between the two best teams in the country in terms of the quality of the game at the moment. In addition to the intrigue of who will become the interim leader, fans are waiting for several more important matches. For more information, see the Izvestia article.

CSKA Moscow – Krasnodar: who will introduce newcomers faster?

The Army team looked better in the Super Bowl game and deservedly won, but a lot has changed in a month and a half, including the lineups of both teams. Fabio Celestini introduces new players in express mode: Joao Victor should replace Willian Rocha, and Di Luciano and Daniel Ruiz should "upgrade" the right flank. It's not a fact that the last two are now considered as starting line-up players, but something else is more important: CSKA's game is becoming more balanced and structured. Even after Pjanic's departure, the Red-Blues did not lose any specifics in building attacks. Oblyakov and Kislyak created a killer combination in the center of the field, capable of controlling the course of matches. Lukin and Glebov are progressing rapidly, and Krugovoy has opened up in a new role closer to the attack. If this continues, the Army team will become one of the main contenders for the championship.

Krasnodar also has a rush of fresh blood. Of course, the main bet is on Gaetan Perrin, who managed to score 1+2 in just over 90 minutes in the RPL. The combination of the Frenchman and Spertsyan is a first—class generator of dangerous moments by the standards of the league. Both are mobile, have a fine sense of the zone and work well with the ball in a confined space. At the same time, they do not turn off under pressure — "bulls" very often provoke an opponent to make mistakes with their pressure. This is especially important given the restructuring of CSKA's defensive line.

Yes, lately the games between these teams have turned out to be "grassroots", but something tells me that this time it will be a spectacle both in terms of dynamics and the number of goals.

Scoring rise: who excelled in the cup matches of the week

High performance of Zenit, Krasnodar and Spartak games, defeat of Dynamo on penalties in Samara

Zenit – Paris NN: Glushenkov has woken up and is ready to return to the start

Zenit had a great run in July, but then slowed down, failing to win four consecutive RPL rounds. Recently, the sinusoid of results has gone up again — the St. Petersburg team did not give Dynamo Makhachkala a chance (4:0), and in a recent cup meeting they scored five goals against Orenburg. However, it is difficult to call the last match indicative, because Zenit conceded three goals from far from the strongest team in the league. The defense is still in trouble, and if Nino suddenly leaves this summer, we'll have to think about finding a high-quality replacement.

But Glushenkov began to wake up. There were rumors that he could be sold or leased to Crvena Zvezda, but every day this option seems less likely. Maxim came on as a substitute very coolly in the match against Dynamo Makhachkala and showed his character by scoring a goal and an assist. He was already at the base for Orenburg and added three more scoring actions. This is a serious bid to return to the start on a permanent basis. Zenit, among other things, currently lacks imagination in attack. Luis Enrique doesn't look like a football player of Malcom's level yet, and Pedro and Mostovoy don't jump above their heads. Therefore, a smart, technical, and most importantly, effective forward is especially necessary for the team right now.

Pari NN is a suitable opponent in order to get even more excited and feel confident. Alexey Shpilevsky's team has only three points in the first six rounds, and it will also go to the Northern Capital without the disqualified leader Boselli. It's hard to imagine what the guests can expect if Zenit enters the field with the same attitude as in the last two matches.

Field check: will Spartak be able to return to the fight for high places

Should we wait for a change of leader in the next round of the RPL

Spartak – Sochi: Stankovich risks being left almost without defenders

First of all, I would like to wish good health to Robert Moreno, who had to receive medical care due to a hypertensive crisis right during the cup game with Krasnodar. It is unclear whether the team's performance was caused by the malaise, but the fact is that the former coach of the Spanish national team has been having a hard time professionally lately. With just one point scored in the league and last place in the standings, the goal difference of minus 14 is the worst in the league. We managed to score two points in the cup after defeating Krylia in a penalty shootout, but this spoonful of honey in a barrel of tar is almost indistinguishable.

This is a good moment for Spartak to regain their composure. After defeats against Lokomotiv and Dynamo Moscow, talk of Deyan Stankovich's possible resignation reached a peak. Now the situation is much calmer, moreover, for fans of the red and white it is even inspiring. Rubin was beaten in Kazan, they managed to arrange the first defeat of the season in the Cup, and newcomer Samoshnikov is already benefiting. Sochi is unlikely to be able to put up serious resistance, so there is a good chance that Anton Zabolotny will score the opening goal in a red and white T-shirt in an official match.

But what about the defense? A lot of insiders say that Alexis Duarte has a number of offers to return to South America. If this is true, then the question arises: how is Spartak going to play with three central defenders if only Litvinov, Babich and young Guziev remain in the squad? It's more a question of management: Abena, Chernov and Maslov left the team this summer, and no one has been acquired to replace them yet, so Cuesta was abandoned at the last moment.

Locomotive shutdown: Railwaymen have lost their leadership in the RPL

The second consecutive draw between the red and green brought Krasnodar and CSKA to the top places.

Lokomotiv – Krylia Sovetov: Galaktionov's team is losing ground

A week ago, Loko and Krylia played unsuccessful matches. The railwaymen conceded three goals at home from Rostov, missing the victory in the eighth added minute. Krylia Sovetov completely "flew in" 0:6 to Krasnodar, which probably hurt the team's self-esteem. The upcoming meeting is an opportunity to analyze mistakes and correct them. Perhaps both clubs are currently experiencing a banal decline, because the red-greens had previously failed to beat Baltika, and the Samaritans last won the championship at the beginning of the month.

And if there is nothing catastrophic in such results for Krylia, then this is a problem for Lokomotiv. Galaktionov's team was much and deservedly praised at the start of the season for its powerful streak of four consecutive wins. But can we say that its composition is ready to compete with mastodons like Zenit and Krasnodar? Loko has been performing above expectations all this time, and perhaps a banal regression to the average has now begun. But Muscovites have all the cards in their hands to unwind this argument this weekend.

Dynamo Mx – Dynamo: character check

The Dynamo derby promises to be exciting, and the reason for this is the unpredictability of both teams. The home field factor will play for the residents of Makhachkala, and a higher class will play for the Muscovites. Although there are a lot of questions about both. Hasanbi Bijiyev's team suffered two defeats in the RPL with a total score of 0 after defeating Spartak in the Cup.:6. And if the defeat from Zenit can be explained by the difference in class, then the failure with Paris NN is a wake—up call.

On the other hand, three points in a match against the guests from the capital is not a fabulous scenario at all. Valery Karpin just continues to pick up the keys to the complex mechanism that he got in Moscow. The victory over Paris NN in the previous round gives hope for recovery — Makarov is getting in shape, Anton Miranchuk has arrived, the injured leaders are returning to the ranks. But the fiasco with Krylia in the recent cup match once again showed that Dynamo can mask defensive problems, while implementation is still at a nightmarish level. This team has an obvious potential for growth, but it also needs to show character. The trip to Makhachkala, where fans come in droves to support their own, should become a training that the blue and white team must successfully complete in order not to leave for a break for the national team matches in a completely depressed mood.