ABASKAL VS SEMAK
Guillermo Abascal is playing for the second season according to the schemes with only two center backs – 4-3-3, less often – 4-4-2. And he continues to focus on attack even to the detriment of defense. Given the number of strong players in midfield and attack, this tactic seems logical. It’s much easier to come up with something about attacking player combinations than it is to try to set up a game on defense.
At the same time, Abascal cannot teach his players to position themselves correctly in his penalty area with standard positions. They are poorly positioned, allowing opponents to easily pick up rebounds and score goals with little to no interference.
photo by Andrey Anosov / Sovsport
Sergei Semak, on the contrary, had to experiment in the new season. He tried to play with two center backs, but was not satisfied with the game on his doorstep. This problem was especially manifested in the lost meeting with Dynamo. After her, Semak switched to a scheme with three central defenders. First there was 3-4-3 (against Krylya Sovetov), then 3-5-2 (against Fakel), and in both cases victories were achieved. True, now trouble arose ahead.
FC Zenit
Now Semak is faced with a difficult question, which tactical scheme to choose for a meeting with Spartak. So far, none of the schemes can fully adapt to him, and then there is an opponent with a very powerful attack. What will Semak think about first, defense or attack? Let’s try to get an answer by looking at the starting lineups.
BONGONDA VS. CASSIERRA
In terms of attacking potential, Spartak now looks even stronger. The rojiblancos have a whole repertoire of high-level attacking and attacking midfielders. The leaders of the attack from last season, Quincy Promes and Alexander Sobolev, continue to show good football. Newcomers Theo Bongonda (three goals) and Jesús Medina fit perfectly into the collective game. Victor Moses also continues to be a top level player.
photo by Andrey Anosov / Sovsport
In addition, other players are also constantly connected to attacks and aim at the goal. The strength of the Spartak attack is also evidenced by the fact that the team leads in terms of the number of goals scored in the championship. In four days, the rojiblancos have 11 goals. Only CSKA and Krylya Sovetov have the same number, while Saint Petersburg only has seven.
With Malcolm gone, Zenit is looking for a new striker. Colombian Mateo Cassierra eventually became a stable point guard and scored three goals (only Chalov has more, four), but he has no leadership qualities.
FC Zenit
Wendel has them, but is in a bad mood after a failed attempt at a change of scenery. Claudinho continues to show good technique, but his performance this season is still zero. He scored the only goal in the cup match against Akhmat.
Perhaps in such a situation, Semak will begin to trust Ivan Sergeev more. The ‘Joker’ was excellent as a substitute all last season, and in the last round of the match with the ‘Fakel’ for the first time in the season he appeared from the first minutes and immediately scored.
LITVINOV VS RENAN
But in the center of defense, Spartak has more problems, which is not surprising, since the nominal defensive midfielder Ruslan Litvinov is confident in this position. In Yekaterinburg, he “brought” a penalty and a decisive goal.
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However, Giorgi Jikia has health problems and Alexis Duarte is unstable and makes childish mistakes. As a result, the rojiblancos conceded 13 (!) goals in six games. They are looking for new artists for a position of responsibility, but so far without success.
FC Zenit
Semak at the beginning of the season, due to injuries to Rodrigao and Dmitry Chistyakov, had to rely on a pair of unplayed newcomers Renan – Strahinya Erakovich. But with all of Renan’s talent, he is still only 19 years old. The Brazilian regularly makes mistakes under pressure and doesn’t always see the pitch well, allowing opponents to run behind him. Of course, four goals conceded in four games isn’t the worst stat for defensive play. But last season, Zenit played more reliably in defense.
