But the match did not change the situation in the standings.
The meeting between Zenit and Krasnodar seemed to coincide with the end of the first round of the Russian Championship. And it became a kind of final, the main test for two teams that are surprisingly different in football and results compared to other competitors. It is also significant that Zenit and Krasnodar, which separated only two points in favor of the Bulls, broke away from all pursuers. This made the matchup more impressive and more valuable in its own right, regardless of what other teams would show.
The favorite of the match, of course, was Zenit, who approached the match late. The St. Petersburg team failed to win at home only twice this season: in matches against Dynamo (2:3) and Lokomotiv (1:2). Otherwise they invariably won. And Sergei Semak’s team has gained impressive form, winning their last seven consecutive matches in all tournaments. Those who complain that there can be no intrigue in the modern Russian championship were already rubbing their hands, anticipating that their complaints would begin to be justified and Zenit would finally complete the first round RPL boss. Krasnodar, who had scored four points instead of the possible nine in the previous three rounds, found themselves under considerable pressure.
Equal in essence and number
The first half of the match was full of fights, a tense and nervous fight, in which all the value of the confrontation and the mood of the teams, who were afraid of losing, could be felt. It was not worth expecting an open battle with sabers drawn. There were no tournament prerequisites for this. If Zenit had taken a risk and lost, they would have been five points away. And this is also very significant for the St. Petersburg team with its potential.
In case of risk and defeat, Krasnodar would have let Zenit take the lead. And even if the gap had been minimal, from a psychological point of view it would have shaken the “bulls” and given new impetus to the St. Petersburgers. This awareness of risk on both sides dictated the nature of the match in the first half. So much effort, few scoring opportunities, but so much tension that you could hang an axe, as they say. This is the case when, even in the absence of a wave of chances and incredible dynamics, you can understand how high-quality the opponents are and how organized their game is.
However, the score at half-time could not have been level. There were at least three scoring opportunities. After a Krasnodar corner in the 32nd minute, the shot was blocked and Olusegun finished inaccurately. And in injury time, Tormena blocked Sergeev’s shot on the flying ball. Spertsyan immediately finished a cross from the wing, won the fight against Santos, but shot just wide of the post. Any of these episodes could have ended with a goal. And then we would continue to talk about an equal match, but with an unequal score.
More openness
In many ways this also applies to the second half. The same equal fight was fought there. But already divided into two large segments. The first covered the tempo from the start of the half until Krasnodar’s goal. On it, the Bulls had the ball more than 54% of the time. This is the only period in which they have had such an advantage in ball control. Zenit dominated the rest of the half in this component.
Also during this period, Krasnodar had six shots on goal, hitting the target four times. Zenit only took three shots, one of which was precise. But when the Krasnodar team scored, the situation changed. And it’s time for the second segment, with the dominance of the St. Petersburgers. And quite significant. It is difficult to say what exactly caused this. On the one hand, the conclusion suggests that Krasnodar, having seized the initiative, decided to maintain this advantage and began to sit too deep. Two changes instead for Zenit, who insert Izidor and Mostovoy in place of Sergeev and Mantuan. Ultimately, it was these two new players who changed the situation in the final. But they also had an impact on the content of the game, strengthening Zenit’s dynamics.
Most likely, both factors influenced the fact that Zenit managed to turn the situation around. It took him just seven minutes to regain it. The pressing Krasnodar was immediately punished for this by the top scorer RPL. Cassierra, in excellent style, beats Tormena on the “second floor” and shoots home. Interestingly, two players among the best snipers in the league added to their goal tally: Cassierra brought his goal tally to 12 and Spertsyan to seven, equaling Chalov and Cordoba. Even so, the status of the main match of the first round was confirmed.
Then, even in a draw, Zenit continues to dominate. The psychological advantage was in the hands of Semak’s team. Krasnodar remembered that they shouldn’t have lost, so the nervousness returned, while the Petersburgers felt their strength. In the last quarter of the match Zenit had the ball 81% of the time. With Krasnodar’s low scoring, only one out of two passes on average was accurate. The team couldn’t waste the equipment in a couple of minutes – it was definitely a matter of psychology.
During this period, Krasnodar made only three shots on goal, one of which went on target. Zenit had nine shots, three of which were on target. But the most dangerous one, which could have become the decisive one, arrived at the post. Mostovoy spectacularly beat the fresh Ektov on the left flank and shot on goal, but Izidor did not react to the rebound and the ball fell into Safonov’s hands. Zenit could have taken their segment of private dominance to victory. And then the match would also be called a draw, but with a different result.
And this draw leaves everyone alone in the standings. Krasnodar is still in the lead, Zenit is half a step behind and waiting for their chance. Now it’s a race of attrition, in which the fate of the championship depends on how cleanly these teams collect points in other matches. Yes, there will be another direct confrontation. But there is a feeling that Zenit and Krasnodar will not approach him so closely.
