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In the aftermath of Russia's catastrophic loss to Slovenia there is no denying the domestic football community is in a state of shock. After the soaring fortunes in the Euro 2008, few would have anticipated Russia would have missed out the sports premier event. With this as the backdrop the Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia returns for the climatic final two weeks of the campaign on Saturday.
As is customary practice at this stage of the year, all matches will commence at the same time on Saturday afternoon. Quite clearly most of the attention will be focused upon Kurban Berdyev’s Rubin Kazan's effort to secure their second consecutive domestic crown as they host Zenit Saint Petersburg and the classic Moscow derby at Luzhniki Stadium between Spartak and CSKA.
As a cautionary note, as of this writing injury updates and factors related to international duty have yet to be released by individual clubs so there are a variety of potential line-up adjustments to be aware of. As noted Sports-Express, Zenit manager Anatoliy Davydov expressed concern," "Our situation is rather complicated, mainly because many players returned from their international duties." This sentiment is echoed throughout many clubs and with such a short break from international's, there will invariably be issues related to match fitness.
Zenit Saint Petersburg visit Rubin Kazan with not only the thought of the defending champions successful defense on the line but the "sky-blues" hopes for European football. Zenit has displayed a sublime, well disciplined and efficient style of play since Anatoliy Davydov took over the managerial reigns and they will need to be at their best to hold Rubin back. Alejandro Domínguez is playing his best football of the year as the year winds down and will need need to be marked tightly or his goal scoring form will continue.
The Moscow derby takes on a different form after Spartak stumbled against the Samarans and though the chances of standing atop the podium has lessened for Valeriy Karpin, this match is not only one of pride but with major implications upon both sides. For the Leonid Slutsky-led Army-Men the simple fact is that a win is imperative if they are to overtake Lokomotiv for the final Europa League spot and anything short could see them left out of European football. In a vote of confidence Soslan Dzhanayev will maintain is starting assignment between the posts for the Krasno-belye after a difficult performance against Krylya.
Yuriy Semin's Lokomotiv visit Dynamo Moscow's temporary home Khimki with their own hopes of winning a spot in Europe. Only two points behind Zenit in the all important third spot they will face a rejuvenated Dynamo line-up that has welcomed back much of its injured roster of late.
On the verge of successfully completing the "great escape", Spartak Nalchik make their way to Vostochnaya Street's Eduard Streltsov Stadium to face FC Moscow. Miodrag Božović's side, who always play their best in front of their hearty supporters, have returned to form of late and a victory combined with Zenit's loss to Rubin would see them back into a Champions League berth.
Relegation condemned Khimki visit Amkar Perm in a match solely about pride. The "red-blacks" have all but assured they have avoided relegation with a series of well disciplined performances since Rashid Rakhimov took over and a win on Saturday would guarantee their spot in the top flight next year.
In the two other matches of the weekend, Rostov travel to Siberia to face Tom Tomsk whilst Poghos Galstyan thins hopes of leading his side Kuban Krasnodar to safety rest upon a win against Terek Grozny.
Prepared by John Davies
