But Santos won’t be able to play for everyone.
“Zenith” “bounced” against CSKA
In the penalty shootout, Semak’s players performed better than their colleagues CSKA. Akinfeev, although he is a penalty shootout expert, didn’t do well. I did not imagine how Kerzhakov. Michael, by contrast, considered himself “damned.” At the dawn of a career after successful reflection RPL penalty went to look at the name of the record holder, then there was an Armenian Berezovsky. Kerzhakov wondered when he would be the best in this category.
But further from the penalty spot, Mikhail was not lucky until the match in Kazan, where the goalkeeper saved two shots in a series and four shots during the match. But Akinfeev never got into the game before the penalty. “Zenith” was lucky not to miss. When the score on strokes is 4:15, then CSKA and Fedotov have the right to nod to the implementation. Arshavin taught that your expectations are your problems, but the “soldiers” were waiting for a goal against Zenit, they strained someone else’s defense.
The luck of the Semak team is certainly one of the good reasons for the victories in RPL at a distance. But in cup matches, St. Petersburg have done strange things more than once, although more often in a more difficult tournament – the National Cup, and not the Super Cup. There is reason enough to be alarmed, as Rodrigao will miss the summer segment RPLit will return no earlier than September and it will take some time to set in optimal shape.
Karavaev defends himself very badly
The fact of signing Mario Fernandez is a reproach to Karavaev. Vyacheslav last season did not spend the way the Zenit coaches would like. It’s also important to note that the fullback is traditionally inferior to Santos in almost every respect, if we compare the stats of champions’ defenders. There has been talk of passing to three central defenders, because Fernandez and Douglas can play higher up, both know how to keep the ball in the penalty area. Semak weighs all options, because he sees problems.
Malcolm has never known how to play perfectly off the ball, even if he has learned something. But if he leaves, and Mostovoy and Mantovan have to work without the ball, then Zenit could give in on the flanks. Karavaev and Santos made positional errors. The champions control the matches, in which Lovren and Rodrigao go on the offensive and keep the defensive line high. But now a long pass is not an option, because instead of Azmun and Dziuba on the edge of Cassier, and if you raise the defense line, they will open zones behind Renan.
Opponents will play second
Fedotov worked without the ball, like Dynamo on the day of the cup victory against Zenit. In the second half the “blue and white” lit up, as “Akhmat” lit up by beating the Petersburgers. CSKA he also created chances without overplaying the ball. Any forward throw can lead to a moment in Kerzhakov’s goal. Experienced central defenders were able to calmly intercept the ball, and Renan makes mistakes. When he’s too tall, he lacks composure. He wants to play on technique and makes bad decisions. And if he sits deeper, as happened in Kazan, he leaves time for a strike.
“Parenka” on penalties, the Brazilian recalled technicality and potential, but he is a rough player due to his age. Renan was Zenit’s lead pusher in the Super Bowl, but since Wendel missed further down the field, they were left with no shots on target and a minimum of really dangerous approaches. And keep that in mind CSKA also not always reliable on their doorstep. In the support zone of the “soldiers” Mendes and Zdelar, far from the standards of champions. But Alip and Chistyakov are also not equivalent substitutes for Lovren. Mukhin and Gayich blocked Douglas’ attack and Claudinho immediately started having problems.
The success of “Zenith” depends on Barrios
While Fernandez, who has always worked worse off the ball than in attack, will adjust, while the opponents will pull Chistyakov and Renan, knowing full well that this is not the optimal duet in defense, then a lot depends on Barrios. In Kazan he had violent joy after Renan’s decisive blow, because he understood that the mistakes that led to Kerzhakov’s shots on goal were on his conscience. Since the spring it has been noticed that the Colombian is not in the best shape. Perhaps the effect of relaxation, headlines inside RPL given too easily.
It is possible that after Wendel and Malcolm, other Zenit players will decide to leave. Claudinho and Barrios can easily find a new team, and Renan hopes this will be his first full but last season at Zenit. The young defender wants to play in the Champions League. And they have been called up to the national team, which means the stakes are very high. In difficult circumstances, when Barrios is not helped by the usual literate Wendel with the ball, and Rodrigao does not insure Renan, the titled Zenit will survive a difficult moment.
The result depends on the implementation of rivals
Kazan Zenit was nervous. It’s also funny that the main hope of the defense is the veteran Kerzhakov, insured by Goylo without the experience of a fight for the championship. Will the famous fortune help you? But look at the calendar Semak complained about. Soon there will be matches against Akhmat, Rostov, Dynamo and Krylya Sovetov. Five weeks later, a duel against Spartak in Moscow. There is no time for hoarding, someone will definitely reap the fruits of the work CSKAwho brought out the champion, but did not score the winning goal.
The reigning champions should have anticipated Alip and found a serious centre-back. But in Zenith they can become hostages to their own myth that everything is always under control. But Barrios does not have a replacement in case of force majeure. Rodrigao is not the standard of a first class defender. Fernandez is many years old, although the weight is normal. And Kerzhakov is even older, but Safonov refused to replace him. They hope to be able to pass, but now everything depends on the implementation of the opponents. There will be more opportunities at Zenit’s doorstep than a year ago.
