A difficult start for Zenit and the debut of the coaches at Spartak and CSKA! Intrigues of the 1st round of the RPL
Nikita Paglazov July 19, 2024, 21:05 Moscow time Audio version: Your browser does not support the audio element.
Krasnodar is about to travel to Grozny and Lokomotiv is testing the newcomer to the championship.
RPL is back! We have been waiting for the resumption of our championship for almost two months. Last season in Russia turned out to be even brighter than Euro 2024 in Germany. We hope that you will like RPL now too. And we talk about the intrigues in the 1st round of the season.
Will Lokomotiv spoil Akron’s RPL debut?
Loko will start the season with a home match against Akron. Mikhail Galaktionov’s team lost several important players over the summer (Anton Miranchuk, Artyom Dzyuba, Maxim Glushenkov, Rifat Zhemaletdinov). I had to rebuild the game again. The first serious test is against a newcomer to the RPL. There is no doubt that Akron does not want to lose in its debut match in the elite. But Loko’s team is much stronger. Will the Togliatti residents be able to make a splash?
Mikhail Galaktionov
Photo: Dmitry Golubovich, “Championship”
How will Zenit start the season?
Zenit is the reigning champion of Russia. For the sixth time in a row. And next season the team will receive additional motivation with the club’s centenary. The management has conducted a strong transfer campaign: everyone is expecting the seventh consecutive title. Zenit has already won the Super Cup, after facing Krasnodar. So the team is in a very good mood.
In the first round, Zenit is visiting Samara. Krylya Sovetov did not have any stormy deals on the market, but there were no significant losses either. Coach Igor Osinkin had the opportunity to correct his mistakes. So we expect a serious battle between “Wings” and “Zenith”.
Zenit in the Super Cup match against Krasnodar
Photo: Dmitry Golubovich, “Championship”
Dynamo won’t have any problems with Fakel?
Dynamo missed out on their first gold in 48 years at the end of last season. The disappointing defeat to Krasnodar will remain in the memory of the team and fans for a long time. What to do? Try to win the RPL again! In the first round of the initial season, Dynamo will host Fakel. A tenacious and combative team. But the Muscovites are obliged to defeat these opponents if they are to win gold.
Konstantin Tyukavin
Photo: Alexander Safonov, “Championship”
Karpin’s team will not concede points to CSKA?
The most interesting match of the tour will take place in Rostov-on-Don: Valery Karpin’s team will host CSKA. Rostov added variety to its squad in the transfer window (Kuchaev, Saravia) and is ready to fight for the top 5. The club is unlikely to want to repeat the disastrous autumn of 2023. CSKA also performed poorly last season, finishing sixth. In the summer, the club appointed Marko Nikolic as coach and acquired several players. There is no doubt that the top 3 is the minimum task. It is even more interesting how the meeting between two ambitious clubs will develop.
Valery Karpin
Photo: Elena Razina, “Championship”
How will Spartak play its first competitive match under Stankovic?
An interesting match will take place in Orenburg. Spartak finished last season with a trip to Orenburg and now opens a new championship here. This time under a different coach: Dejan Stankovic. As a player, the Serbian played for Inter, including under Jose Mourinho. The Milanese won Serie A, the Italian Cup and the Champions League. So Spartak now has a coach with a winning mentality. And Dejan is unlikely to count on anything less than gold. He should at least pass this idea on to the players. In Orenburg we will see how Stankovic’s tactical ideas and psychological attitude will be reflected in Spartak.
Dejan Stankovic
Photo: Alexander Safonov, “Championship”
Newcomers to RPL will meet each other
Khimki and Dynamo Makhachkala are the newcomers to the RPL. The schedule brought them together already in the 1st round of the season. So until the teams really get a feel for the RPL – there are still tests to be had against the best. But both Khimki and Dynamo have a chance to score points in the first match. This is easier to do with a lower-ranked opponent. Which newcomer will get a positive boost at the start of the RPL? Or will it be a draw?
Khimki footballers
Photo: Dmitry Golubovich, “Championship”
Will Krasnodar take revenge on Akhmat for last season’s defeat?
If Krasnodar had not lost to Akhmat at the end of the last RPL season, they would most likely have become champions. It is probably difficult for fans and players to realize this. But there is a new season ahead. Now we have to start the quest for the title again. “Akhmat” worked fully under coach Magomed Adiev in the off-season. So Krasnodar will have a difficult match. But to deserve the championship, you have to beat everyone. Will the “bulls” be able to take the first step towards the trophy and take revenge?
“Krasnodar” – “Akhmat” in the 2023/2024 season
Photo: t.me/fckrasnodar
How will the Volga derby end?
Paris NN was saved from relegation only in the play-offs, defeating Arsenal Tula. The residents of Nizhny Novgorod are unlikely to want to repeat the sad and nervous experience. We need to start the new RPL season with confidence. But ahead is a tough opponent – Rubin. Last season Kazan finished eighth and is going to improve its result. Coach Rashid Rakhimov renewed his contract with the Club. Everything is calm and stable at Rubin. Will this be the key to a great season? We will find out the first key to the answers after the first round.
Football players from “Rubin”
Photo by: FC Rubin
