Cup of Contradictions: CSKA will play with unexpectedly leading Rostov

The group stage of the Russian Cup RPL is approaching the equator. The third round matches will be played this week. And there is enough intrigue: after two days of play, only one team has not lost a single point — and this is not Zenit, Krasnodar or Spartak, but Rostov. The team of Spanish specialist Jonathan Alba not only scored six points out of a possible six, but also did not concede a single goal, scoring five. However, it is too early to draw conclusions. The favorites still have enough time to confirm their status and become the leaders of the groups. Izvestia — about the main matches of the third round.

Rostov – CSKA

Rostov residents will obviously be betting on the cup this season. After six rounds in the Russian Premier League, the yellow-blues are one step away from the play-off zone (12th place), having scored five points. But so far everything is going well for them in the Cup: they beat Akron first (4-0), and then Lokomotiv (1-0). With this, Rostov has created a good foundation for reaching the playoffs - perhaps even from the first place.

With the current introductory conditions, the army team is definitely not guaranteed three points in the upcoming match against Rostov, which will also take place on the banks of the Don. And without the leader of the red and blue, Matvey Kislyak. The young midfielder is recovering from an injury sustained in the match against Akron on August 28 (2-2). They decided to save Kislyak before a more important match in the championship — on September 5, CSKA will play Zenit in St. Petersburg. In the cup, you can do without it for now, since the stage is early and the risks are minimal. But all this gives Rostov a good chance of success on the first day of autumn.

Spartak – Rodina

Let's look at the new Moscow derby in the cup format now. A little over a month ago, Spartak and Rodina met in the match of the 1st round of the Russian Premier League at the Lukoil Arena, where the Spanish coach of the red and white Juan Carlos Carcedo confidently dealt with the team of his compatriot and namesake Juan Diaz (3:0).

In the championship, the teams solve completely different tasks: Spartak is second, after Krasnodar, and Rodina is hanging out in the "joints" zone. But in the cup, both Moscow clubs are fighting for first place and entry into the playoffs. They are separated by only one point. And in general, the situation in Group A is quite confusing: Spartak leads with four points, Rodina and Orenburg have three points each, and Rubin has two. Everyone has a chance.

Orenburg block: Spartak slowed down in the championship race

The red and white team could not beat the team from the middle of the table, Lokomotiv lost the second derby — the results of the 6th round of the RPL

At the same time, the stability of the red and white in recent matches is not different. In five games— there are two wins (over Baltika and Zenit), a draw with Orenburg and two defeats against Krasnodar and Rubin (in the cup, on penalties).

However, the "Homeland" is still more prosaic. After the sensational victory over Zenit in St. Petersburg, the Muscovites lost significantly: first they missed the victory over Akron (3:3), leading 2-0 until the 51st minute, and then they lost heavily in three matches in a row with a total score of 2:10 ("burned out" 1:4 "Orenburg", 1:3 in the derby with Dynamo and 0:3 against Baltika in the home stands). It's time to rehabilitate himself in the eyes of the fans, and the cup match is a great opportunity for this. But it seems that their unsuccessful series will drag on. And it's more reasonable to save the main clip to improve the situation in the championship. We expect the same easy victory for the red-whites as at the end of July.

Zenit – Dynamo Makhachkala

In group C, the leader and the outsider of the group will face each other. Petersburgers are in first place with five points, while Makhachkala scored only one point.

It is now important for Sergey Semak's team to gain a more confident course in the season. Even in terms of emotional state, not dry results. Although two defeats in five matches (against Spartak and Rodina) significantly complicated the fight for the championship. It would seem that it's too early to talk about this now, but who knows — perhaps the very misfire with the "Homeland" will be fatal for the blue-white-blues.

But the cup is another story, and now Zenit has the perfect opportunity to restore their confidence. To do this, it is enough just to beat Dynamo Makhachkala on their own field, with the noisy support of the fans. Even with a semi-main squad, Semak is easily able to get three points in the upcoming game.

The most important thing is to avoid underestimating the opponent. In the championship, Vadim Evseev's team is not friends with anyone: either wins or loses. Three wins and three losses. Even the goal difference is devastating — 10:10. Therefore, you can expect anything from the southern Dynamo, even against such a top team. But a more realistic scenario is an easy victory for Zenit. Maybe even a big one if Dynamo doesn't park the bus at its gates.