RPL clubs held the 26th round and now some of them will focus on the Russian Cup. As usual, we form a symbolic team. Dynamo, Spartak and Akhmat delegated two players there at a time.
Team from the previous (postponed) round of the RPL:
RPL matchday 21 team. Zenit winners and no one from the main party
Goalkeeper: Alexander Belenov (“Torch”)
The Voronezh club broke a four-match losing streak, largely thanks to the reliable play of the goalkeeper. Belenov, 37, scored his first cracker in the RPL on March 31. By the way, this is the eighth time this season that the goalkeeper has kept a clean sheet. Not a bad result for a goalkeeper from a club at the bottom of the table. Belenov acted quite reliably and in several episodes frankly saved the team. Sochi scored against the experienced goalkeeper only in an offside position, but the goal was, of course, disallowed.
Alexander Belenov
Photo: fakelfc.ru
Left central defender: Roberto Fernández (Dynamo)
When your team resists the attack of the championship leader, the defense automatically deserves high marks. Fernández, in the victorious match against Zenit (1-0), won two of three duels, made three interceptions, made one tackle, blocked a shot and made 11 clearances. But the most important thing is that the blue and white team did not miss a single goal. It is curious that Dinamo has not kept a clean sheet since March 9. And now we scored a goal in the match against the current champion.
Roberto Fernández (second from left)
Photo: RIA Novosti
Central defender: Alexander Soldatenkov (Krylya Sovetov)
Admit it, were you also surprised that the Samara teams didn’t score a single goal between them? “Krylya Sovetov” against “Krasnodar” – it should have been fun and productive. In reality, everything turned out differently. Krylia captain Soldatenkov made two interceptions, made a tackle and blocked a shot. Neither John Cordoba nor Eduard Spertsyan bothered the home team. The absence of conceded goals in a match with an opponent of this level is a great success for Igor Osinkin’s young team.
Alexander Soldatenkov (right)
Photo: pfcks.ru
Right centre-back: Fabián Balbuena (Dynamo)
Balbuena not only stood out in defense in the match against Zenit, but also participated in the scoring combination. It was his header on Konstantin Tyukavin that led to the game-winner. This is the defenseman’s second assist of the season. Do you know when the first one was? In the match against Zenit (3-2) in August 2023. Do you remember who scored after Balbuena’s pass? Tyukavin. These are the miracles. This time Fabián won six of eight duels, made three tackles, made an interception and blocked a shot.
Fabian Balbuena
Photo: fcdm.ru
Left midfielder: Daniil Khlusevich (Spartak)
Khlusevich was a great substitute in the match against Lokomotiv (3-2). He appeared at the beginning of the second half and scored the winning goal after 10 minutes. Daniil escaped from his opponent during a counterattack and calmly went one-on-one with the goalkeeper. By the way, this is Khlusevich’s fifth goal this season and the second in 2024. It is curious that Daniil scored at the Spartak stadium for the first time since August 2023, then scored two points against Orenburg (3:2). And one more nuance: if Khlusevich scores this season, Spartak will definitely win.
Daniil Khlusevich celebrates a goal with Christopher Martins Pereira
Photo: spartak.com
Central midfielder: Danila Kozlov (Baltika)
Baltika has transformed wonderfully lately, as evidenced by three wins in four RPL matches. This time Sergei Ignashevich’s team defeated CSKA (3-1) and Kozlov, 19, once again showed his best side. Firstly, Danila won eight duels (the highest result among all players in the match). Secondly, he made five key passes, a very decent number. Third, he scored an assist. He also made two interceptions and successfully dribbled twice. This guy looks great in spring.
Danila Kozlov (left)
Photo: fc-baltika.ru
Central midfielder: Vladislav Kamilov (Akhmat)
Kamilov played his 16th match in the current RPL season. In the first 14 meetings he did not take a single effective action. But then everything changed for the better. In the match against Sochi (1-0), the red-haired midfielder gave an assist, and in the match against Paris NN (5-1) he scored 2 (1 + 1) points using the goal + pass system. Although, of course, Kamilov was lucky that after his shot the goalkeeper and the opposing defender did not understand each other. “Akhmat” scored the third victory in a row and, in fact, sent Sergei Yuran into retirement.
Vladislav Kamilov (right)
Photo: t.me/akhmatgrozny
Right midfielder: Theo Bongonda (Spartak)
The Spartak African footballer played the best game in the RPL. He never scored more than one goal per game, but against Lokomotiv he was in a special mood (3-2). First, Theo converted the penalty and, after the break, gave an assist to Khlusevich. He also made seven key passes, made two tackles and was fouled. In his last two RPL games, Bongonda scored two goals. In total he has already distinguished himself six times.
Theo Bongonda
Photo: spartak.com
Left Wing: Mirlind Daku (Rubin)
We had to move Daka to the flank forward position, as the central forward role was passed to another foreign player. Watching the Albanian play sometimes the question arises: how the hell does he do it? His dribbling and unorthodox movements are a nightmare for any defender. The Urals defense showed too much respect for Dak when he opened the scoring. And in another episode, Mirlind made a magnificent pass to Ugochukwu Iwa. This pass should have been a goal, but Daku’s teammate did not beat the goalkeeper. In addition, Mirlind won seven martial arts, the best result among all participants in the match.
Mirlind Daku
Photo: RIA Novosti
Center forward: Mohamed Konate (Akhmat)
The African scored a double for the second time this season. This time, his productive attacking play helped Akhmat to their third consecutive victory. Konate scored a goal in each half and left the field in the 66th minute with a sense of accomplishment. Konate’s goal-scoring exploits are much needed for Akhmat, who is desperately fighting to maintain his place in the elite division. In the match against Paris NN (5-1), Mohamed also won three of four duels and provided a key assist.
Mohamed Konate (close-up)
Photo: t.me/akhmatgrozny
Right winger: Ronaldo (Rostov)
We can already say that Rostov was right with the transfer of Ronaldo. The Brazilian scores in one out of every two games (four goals in eight RPL games). This time Rostov won a resounding victory over Orenburg (2-1), and Ronaldo dispersed this comeback. He first headed in a cross from Daniil Utkin and then passed the ball to Nikolai Komlichenko, who scored the winning goal. Ronaldo made three key passes, won five duels, made an interception and made a tackle. And, by the way, he could have scored more, but I hit the post.
ronaldo
Photo: Artyom Gusev, “Championship”
Coach: Marcel Licka (Dynamo)
It seems that Lichka knows some secret to succeeding in matches with Zenit. This season, Dynamo beat an opponent for the third time in four meetings. And, by the way, we didn’t lose again, like in the cup match at home. After a series of three defeats, no one counted on the blue and white as a participant in the “golden” race. But after that, Dynamo played three victorious matches in the RPL, and now the difference with the leading duo is three points. Can Lichka overcome third place with his team?
Marcel Lická
Photo: RIA Novosti
RPL Round 26 Team
Let’s take another look at the tour’s symbolic team.
