Stukalov named the future Russian football champion

ZENIT – LOKOMOTIVE (1:2)

– One of the most unexpected results of the last round was the loss of the champion at home to Lokomotiv. Or were there any assumptions before the match that this would be the outcome?

– Neither before the match, nor after the first half, it was difficult to assume that Zenit would ultimately lose. Although Lokomotiv had a moment at the end of the first half, it did not come to a serious threat to the opponent’s goal. The second half turned out to be completely different. Both teams got excited and the game became pleasant to watch. It was quite at the level of good foreign matches. Dynamics, compactness, transitions, fighting in every part of the field – everything was on the level. It was difficult to give preference to someone. But football is a game where some are lucky and others are not. Zenit had great chances, but did not use them. But everyone will make mistakes; football is built on mistakes. Especially at the end of the game, when attention is dulled and physics gives up. Lokomotiv took advantage of the mistakes of the St. Petersburg team and decided the outcome of the match in their favor in the last minutes of the match.

– Yes, Zenit had its moments. As in previous matches. But the implementation is lame, as if something is broken. Is Malcolm’s departure still affecting the champion’s game?

– Of course, Malcolm was a colorful figure. The outcome of some fights was decided individually. So there are explanations for what is happening now. In the first matches of this season, we saw that Cassierra could not always realize his potential. Now his potential is only growing. The question is the team’s motivation. I watched. The way Semak behaved during the match, and then during the post-match interview – he was kind of confused and excited. Why confused? Because there were many unrealized moments. And this mistake in the last minutes. A draw would have been more natural. Which, however, would not suit either Zenit or Lokomotiv.

– This season this is not the first defeat of Zenit from the Moscow team at home. In the third round in St. Petersburg, Dynamo won 3:2. Can these two matches be compared?

– There are no teams that don’t lose, no matter how skilled they are. It’s just that any victory over Zenit today is almost considered a feat. Considering the potential of its composition. No matter what anyone says. So far, Semak has managed to manage this potential wisely. It’s difficult for him to work, but he copes. It seems to me that even this year it is unlikely that anyone will be able to ultimately compete with Zenit.

SPARTAK — DYNAMO (1:0)

– The game in St. Petersburg was certainly interesting, but for many football fans, the main match took place in Moscow. In the entire history of confrontations with Dynamo, Spartak has already won the 81st victory. But was the game itself worthy of such a sign?

– In this match, neither team had an advantage. Dynamo sank greatly in the second half. And they failed to convert many chances, which, by the way, Dynamo head coach Marcel Lička later spoke about. I agree with him – Dynamo should not have lost this match. It was rather a draw.

Spartak scored its goal in the 7th minute as a result of a magnificent combination, the best in this round. It was played brilliantly. The entire football field was covered in three passes, performed at the highest level. After the goal they did not retreat to their goal. At this point “Dynamo” had to win back, they began to attack more and play actively. But I didn’t feel like they were able to get anything out of their dangerous moments. I didn’t see any over-aggression among Dynamo. It was necessary to add pressure, but in the final stage there was not enough aggression.

I understand why Lichka is not very happy with his players. This year Dynamo definitely needs to be on the podium. They will strive for this, the team has every opportunity for this.

ROSTOV – CSKA (3:3)

– A very interesting and productive match took place in Rostov. Both Rostov and CSKA have problems with their rosters at the start of the season. Was this number of goals scored in one game a consequence of these problems, primarily in defense, or were they scored a lot because great players played?

– Nobody likes such experiments in coaching, when there are big problems with the squad and something needs to be solved. For example, when the army midfielder Mukhin, who is quite good at tackling, plays in the middle zone, the defensive midfielder can read the game, anticipate game episodes, and he is placed in defense. It is not so easy. In reserve. There are guys in the youth team who can play central defender? Maybe, according to the coaching staff, they are not suitable yet. It’s difficult for CSKA today; there are no players who could replace injured players in the central zone. This means that we need to pay more attention to training backups. Who could be trusted with a place in the main lineup. We have always said that we have big problems with defenders. Nevertheless, both Lokomotiv and Dynamo have guys who look good.

Therefore, it was difficult for CSKA to play. And Karpin probably knew that Fedotov had such a problem. That’s why Rostov played aggressively and pressed.

– What can you say about Rostov youth? How are things going there?

– I really like their youth. I know the coaches who have recently worked with young football players quite well. Many of the guys already play for Rostov, some already play for other clubs, many have already blossomed. And this only makes me happy.

KRASNODAR – URAL (2:0)

– “Krasnodar” won another victory. This time they beat Ural at home. The team has not yet had a single defeat since the start of the season. Why does Krasnodar achieve such success?

– If we talk about the last match, then this game, as they say, went to a goal. The first goal was scored a little funny.

Krasnodar is the leader. And under Ivich he performs well. At first, in the second half of last season, things didn’t go well. But in this championship, using, among other things, students from their academy, they assembled a good team. It’s high time for the team to aim for the highest places. At the same time, I’m not sure that everything will go smoothly for them in the autumn part of the championship. Today they play with a good spirit, with good support from their fans, with courage.

Gancharenko, the head coach of Ural, previously worked in Krasnodar. He knows this team – of course there are other players there now, but he knows its capabilities. However, Kadi’s goal in the 54th minute was decisive. “Ural” didn’t have enough strength to suppress a little more, and then this goal changed everything. Because in the first half, neither one nor the other team had a special advantage. “Ural” was also a leader in the first rounds. And after the second goal everything became completely clear. Although I don’t know how it was assessed – whether it was offside or not. Even after the first goal conceded, Ural had the opportunity to win back – Gancharenko released Bikfalvi. They could have added more pressure. But luck was on Krasnodar’s side.

Tournament table

1 Krasnodar 21

2 Wings of the Soviets 18

3 Zenit 17

4 Spartak 16

5 Dynamo 15

6 Lokomotiv 15

7 Nizhny Novgorod 14

8 Ural 14

9 CSKA 13

10 Akhmat 11

11 Rostov 9

12 Ruby 9

13 Orenburg 8

14 Baltika 7

15 Sochi 6

16 Torch 5