Zenit – CSKA

Zenit and CSKA are unlikely to play defensively in the Super Cup game

On Saturday, 15 July, Zenit will play CSKA in Kazan. The teams will determine the winner of the Russian Super Cup. Zenit did not become weaker over the summer. The team signed Mantuan on a permanent basis, the midfield was strengthened by Du Queiroz and Kovalenko. Only Daler Kuzyaev was lost. All other foreigners remained at the club. The Pitmen were somewhat disappointed with their performance at the Match Premier Cup. Sergey Semak's side again failed to win in regulation time against strong European clubs. A defeat to Red Star and a draw with Fenerbahce. The only successful match was against Azerbaijan's Neftchi. Zenit played without several key performers. Wendel and Malcom had a long rest. It is far from certain that the Brazilians will play in the meeting for the Super Cup. They need to get in shape. Claudinho was injured. The player has problems with his knee after the game with Fenerbahçe. He can also be saved. There will be no scandalous newcomer Mario Fernandez. The player may be signed before the game, but the Brazilian needs additional preparation, as he hasn't played in a big match in over a year. CSKA finished last season as Zenit's main pursuer. The Army men finished second, surpassed the St. Petersburg side on points in 2023, and won the Russian Cup final as a beautiful point. It was expected that the club would make a serious bid for transfer reinforcements to challenge Zenit, but things went in the opposite direction. Vladimir Fedotov's team has become significantly weaker. There are no newcomers. The main player Jesus Medina left to Spartak, Carrascal is very keen to leave the club amid a conflict with the coach. The future of the main defender Zainutdinov is in question. There are also questions about Chalov. The coach does not hide his disappointment with CSKA's transfer policy. All of this is unlikely to have a favourable impact on the result. The friendly games with Dynamo didn't add optimism either. You can discount the experiments, but eleven goals conceded in two meetings is too many even for show matches. At the same time, the total score is 11:3 in Dynamo's favour. It turns out that CSKA's already not the deepest squad has lost a key player, and several players are literally waiting to leave. Zenit rightly go the clear favourite in the line up. The other issue is that the St. Petersburgers themselves are not one hundred per cent ready for the season, and the absence of several leaders leaves CSKA's chances open. We're looking at some festive, productive football. It's doubtful that the rivals will hold on for a draw.