Three leaders of the RPL together flunked the start of the year. Zenit and Spartak first flew out of the BETCITY Russian Cup. Red and white then they lost in the RPL Rubin – already with their new old star Quincy Promes in the lineup. Petersburgers played at home in a draw with Rostov, conceding the decisive goal in the majority, which increases the negative impression of the loss of points. CSKA started with a cup victory over Khabarovsk, but then followed by a well-deserved defeat from Lokomotiv. Which did not allow getting closer to the leader in the table.
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And if everything is clear with Spartak – they are looking for a new coach, since Tedesco announced last December that he would not conclude a new agreement – then the situation with Semak and Goncharenko is more complicated. On the one hand, the teams of these specialists are on the first and second lines in the championship. On the other hand, much was said about the precariousness of their positions in the fall, when both clubs failed in European competitions.
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After a complete fiasco in a not very difficult group of the Europa League and a series of failures in the RPL, the Belarusian went along the edge of the razor – he was given the last chance in the December match in Rostov. CSKA won that meeting, talk of resignation subsided. But you can only prevent a new fire from flaring up with confident performances. Especially red-blue again worked hard in the transfer market, taking Rondon and the Norwegian from the youth team.
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If we add to this the summer purchases for 30 million euros, then we understand that everyone expects significant progress from CSKA. Discounts for the youth of the squad are no longer valid. And in this regard, the derby with Lokomotiv was a very alarming call for Goncharenko. The railroad workers turned out to be more focused, energized and understanding what needs to be done on the field. And after the final whistle, the army coach gave a strange message: press conferences you do not have to discuss whether this or that player played or not. ” His nervousness is understandable – the second place (and hence the entry into the Champions League) is under great threat.
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Semak was not bought anyone in winter, but this is also a weak excuse: the selection of players from Zenit is in any case much better than that of any other RPL participant. At the same time, in the Champions League – one point in six meetings in the group. BETCITY Russian Cup – elimination from Arsenal after home defeat. From the same Arsenal, which was defeated in Sochi a week later. IN premier leagueblue-white-blue they didn’t take three points either.
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To stop talking about whether Semak is the right coach for Zenit is possible only with the game that was in December against Dynamo and Spartak. But not at all what the team has after the winter training camp.
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However, Semak and Goncharenko still have time to improve matters. In the meantime, the main winner of the renewal of the season looks like Vladimir Fedotov with his Sochi. After a big win over Arsenal, he is just one point away from second league championship.
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