The Champion

Rubin (Kazan) are the Champions again. Rubin are 8 points ahead of Spartak (Moscow), who came second and 53 points ahead of Khimki, who came the last.

Gurban Berdiýew confirmed, that he is going to stay in Kazan and “finish what he has started”. Rubin will presumably conclude a number of new sponsoring contracts, they have already change Nike for Umbro as equipment supplier.

Rubin’s new target is to preserve its top players, Cristian Ansaldi (Argentine international), Sergei Semak (Rubin captain), Aleksandr Bukharov (Rubin top striker).

The relegated

FC Khimki have gathered just 10 points in the season, winning just 2 games in the season. Coach Igor Chugainov is ready to stay in the club in 2010 and fight the way back to the Premier League.

FC Kuban were promoted last year and didn’t succeed in Russian Premier League. Coach Sergei Ovchinnikov (ex-Russian international) was fired and Armenian coach Poghos Galstyan took charge of the club.

The promoted

FC Anzhi (Makhachkala) were founded in 1991 but have already played in UEFA Cup and Russia Cup final. However they played in Russian Premier League only in 2002 season. Omari Tetradze, former Russian international, has been working with Anzhi since 2007.

FC Sibir (Novosibirsk), founded in 1936 has changed 9 names since that. Sibir has never played in Russian or USSR top league.

Who’s gonna play in Europe

Rubin (Kazan), Spartak (Moscow), Zenit (Saint Petersburg) are going to play in Champions League 2010/11. The three clubs have an impressive winning record and are likely to be tough sides in the main European football event.

Lokomotiv (Moscow) and CSKA (Moscow) will take part in UEFA Europa League. Both have enough class to reach the latest stages of the contest.

Owners: Gazprom (over 95% of stock), a number of Saint Petersburg-based companies
Budget: 100 mln $ (2008), 90 mln $ (2009)
Shirt logo (commercial): Gazprom

Gazprom, Russian largest energy company, finances most of the club’s spending. Gazprom can afford to spend any money so Zenit can afford any transfers and expenses. Anyway FC Zenit is probably the club with the best merchandizing in Russian football, a number of Zenit-owned companies (radio “Zenit”, “Zenit-Trade”, “Arena-Food”) can cover a significant part of the club’s budget. Gazprom aims to built a new stadium for FC Zenit, the project costs 250 mln $.

FC Spartak Moscow

Owners: Leonid Fedun (90% of stock), private persons
Budget: 65 mln $ (2008), 65 mln $ (2009)
Shirt logo (commercial): Lukoil

FC Spartak is financed by its shareholders, mainly by Russian businessman Leonid Fedun. Leonid Fedun is one of the owners of Lukoil, Russian leading energy company. Lukoil is the sponsor of FC Spartak. FC Spartak players participate in a number of marketing campaigns run by Lukoil-owned companies. Leonid Fedun is currently building a new stadium for FC Spartak, the new stadium will be built by 2012.

FC Lokomotiv

Owners: Russian Railways (70% of stock), Valeri Filatov (15%), Yuri Semin (15%)
Budget: 70 mln $ (2008), 62 mln $ (2009)
Shirt logo (commercial): Russian Railways

Russian Railways, the government owned railway company, covers FC Lokomotiv financial demands. FC Lokomotiv is also financed by a number of companies, owned by Russian Railways.

FC Rubin

Owner: Kazan city district
Budget: 70 mln $ (2008), 55 mln $ (2009)
Shirt logo (commercial): Taif

FC Rubin is financed by Kazan city district administration, Tatarstan Republic administration as well as by a number of local companies: Taif (holding company), Tatenergo (energy company). Due to the financial crisis FC Rubin budget is significantly cut in 2009.

FC CSKA

Owners: Blue Castle Enterprises Limited (49%), AVO Capital (26% of stock), Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation (25%)
Budget: 50 mln $ (2008), 49 mln $ (2009)
Shirt logo (commercial): Aeroflot

CSKA is one of the most stable clubs in Russian Premier League, each year it earns more than 40 mln $, therefore the club can finance most of its spending. Recently CSKA made an agreement with a new sponsor, Aeroflot, Russian largest airline, each year it will pay 10 mln $ to the club.

FC Dynamo Moscow

Owners: Bank VTB (75% of stock – 1 share), Dynamo Sports Society (25% of stock + 1 share)
Budget: 60 mln $ (2008), 50 mln $ (2009)
Shirt logo (commercial): Bank VTB

FC Dynamo main sponsors are Bank VTB (Russian government owns 77.47% of Bank VTB stock) and Polyus Gold, Russian mining and metallurgy company. Bank VTB became the club’s owners when Dynamo Sports Society found itself unable to finance the Bank VTB credits. FC Dynamo stadium is currently under reconstruction, it will cost 100 mln $.

FC Saturn

Owner: Moscow Oblast
Budget: 60 mln $ (2008), 42 mln $ (2009)
Shirt logo (commercial): no

FC Saturn is owned and financed by Moscow Oblast. At the end of the previous season Moscow Oblast wanted to merge FC Saturn and FC Khimki in order to cut budget spending. FC Saturn budget may be further decreased due to poor financial status of Moscow Oblast.

FC Terek

Owner: Chechen Republic
Budget: 35 mln $ (2008), 37 mln $ (2009)
Shirt logo (commercial): Sat&Co

FC Terek is a major project for Chechen Republic government and namely for Chechen governor Ramzan Kadyrov, full name of the club is A.A.Kadyrov Republican Football Club Terek Grozny, A.A.Kadyrov is Ramzan’s father. FC Terek budget was increased in 2009. Ramzan Kadyrov also gives notable players magnificent presents.

FC Krylia Sovetov

Owner: Rostehnologii
Budget: 50 mln $ (2008), 35 mln $ (2009)
Shirt logo (commercial): Rostehnologii

FC Krylia Sovetov main sponsors are Rostehnologii and AvtoVAZ, Russian automobile manufacturer, both suffer from financial hardships. The club’s budget was significantly decreased.

FC Moscow

Owner: Norilsk Nickel
Budget: 50 mln $ (2008) 25 mln $ (2009)
Shirt logo (commercial): no

Norilsk Nickel allocated 10 mln $ to finance FC Moscow demands in 2009, 5 times less than in 2008. The club aims to earn more money by increasing fan-base and merchandising revenue.

FC Tom

Owners: Tomsk Oblast, Tomsk city district, a number of Tomsk-based companies
Budget: 25 mln $ (2008), 20 mln $ (2009)
Shirt logo (commercial): no

FC Tom (the only Russian Premier League from Siberia) was on the edge of bankruptcy and only Russian Prime Minister Vladmir Putin’s influence saved the club. Putin forced a number of Russian companies (Rosneft, Inter RAO UES, Gazprom Neft and others) to allot money for FC Tom.

FC Kuban

Owners: Oleg Mkrtchan (75% of stock), Krasnodar Krai (25% of stock)
Budget: 21 mln $ (2008) 18 mln $ (2009)
Shirt logo (commercial): Bank Soyuz

FC Kuban is backed up by a number of Krasnodar Krai companies and regional budget. Krasnodar Krai government want to get rid of the spending on club needs, before the season the Krai sold 75% of FC Kuban stock.

FC Amkar

Owner: Valery Chuprakov (presumably)
Budget: 18 mln $ (2008), 17 mln $ (2009)
Shirt logo (commercial): no

FC Amkar main sponsor, Mineralnie Udobrenia, refused to finance the club in 2009. Perm Krai budget secure about 50% of FC Amkar budget. Local businesses provide the rest.

FC Spartak Nalchik

Owners: Kabardino-Balkar Republic, Nalchik city district
Budget: 16 mln $ (2008), 12 mln $ (2009)
Shirt logo (commercial): no

FC Spartak Nalchik is mainly financed by Kabardino-Balkar Republic, Nalchik city district. Due to the decrease of the budget FC Spartak Nalchik denied the plans of building a new stadium.

FC Rostov

Owners: Rostov Oblast (71,32% of stock), Estar (26,63%), Rostovenergo (2,05%)
Budget: 12 mln $ (2009)
Shirt logo (commercial): no

FC Rostov lost its main sponsor, TMK, the largest Russian producer of steel pipes. The club’s new sponsor, Estar, holding company, covers the vital needs of FC Rostov.

FC Khimki

Owner: Khimki city district
Budget: 20 mln $ (2008), 11 mln $ (2009)
Shirt logo (commercial): SMP Bank

FC Khimki could be merged with FC Saturn before the season, but Khimki fans arranged protests all over the city, so local authorities renounced the plan. However FC Khimki sold a number of valuable players and have a significantly weaker team in 2009.

FC Moscow is a Russian football club based in Moscow. With 27 points they are currently holding the third position in Russian Premier League table. Rubin (Kazan), current champion, are toping the table with 28 points.

FC Moscow are often called “the citizens” and “the caps” (Moscow mayor Yuriy Luzhkov usually wears a cap).

Club history

FC Moscow was founded in 1997, it’s the youngest club in Russian Premier League. FC Moscow broke away from Russian legendary club Torpedo and originally was called Torpedo-ZIL, in 2003 the name was changed to Torpedo-Metallurg. In 2004 the club finally approved the current name.

FC Moscow plays in Russian Premier League since 2003. So far the best result was the 4th place in 2007. FC Moscow’s Dmitri Kirichenko and Roman Adamov were the league’s top goal scorers in 2005 and 2007.

Competition

FC Moscow is facing fierce competition for supporters, since Moscow is the home for 4 Russian Premier League clubs and a number of lesser football clubs.

A young club, such as FC Moscow, hasn’t yet established himself on the market and has to rely on a very limited fan base. E. Streltsov Stadium, FC Moscow home ground, has just 13 200 seats and even this amount is not filled by the supporters.

Owner

FC Moscow is owned by Norilsk Nickel, one of Russian top companies, the world’s leading producer of nickel and palladium. The company is listed on NASDAQ and the RTS Stock Exchange. Norilsk Nickel is owned by Russian top businessman Oleg Deripaska and Vladimir Potanin.

FC Moscow is financed quite moderately, they don’t carry out mad transfer deals or pay extraordinary large salaries.

President

Igor Dmitriev is currently FC Moscow president. Dmitriev has been previously working as a CEO in FC Cosmos and FC Saturn, he also used to be Russian Football Premier League president. Dmitriev came to FC Moscow in 2008, he is aiming to change club’s organizational structure, normalize FC Moscow financial situation and develop FC Moscow structure.

Coach

Miodrag Božović is a Montenegrin football coach.

Božović has previously worked with FK Beograd, Consadole Sapporo, FK Borac Čačak, FK Hajduk Beograd, AEP Paphos FC, FK Budućnost Podgorica, FK Grbalj and FC Amkar (Perm). Altogether 9 clubs from 5 countries.

In Russia Božović was impressive as FC Amkar coach. Božović has worked with FC Amkar for a year, he refused to negotiate extension of his contract with the club from Perm city. In FC Moscow Božović’s salary is considerably higher than in Amkar.

Top players

Yuri Zhevnov is FC Moscow goalkeeper, he won 12 caps for his national football team. In 2007 Zhevnov was voted FC Moscow best player by the supporters. Yuri Zhevnov is one of the most reputable players in FC Moscow. Zhevnov has both Russian and Belarus citizenships.

Alexandru Epureanu is Moldavian international and one of the best FC Moscow defenders. Epureanu won Moldovan Footballer of the Year in 2007. Epureanu is an important player, but has slight tensions with the supporters caused by his careless interviews.

Aleksandr Samedov is a Russian footballer of Azerian ethnic origin. Samedov has played for the Russia U-21 team and hopes to break into Russian senior national football team. Samedov graduated Spartak Moscow football academy but lost his place in Spartak to Vladimir Bystrov. Samedov has played for Lokomotiv Moscow before joining FC Moscow in 2008. Samedov refused joining Azerbaijan national football team.

Isaac Okoronkwo joined FC Moscow in 2006, the same year he was voted the best player by the supporters. Since 2001 he has been playing Nigeria national football team, but currently lost his place in the national team. However for FC Moscow Okoronkwo is still a key player and a clutch defender.

Zvezda 2005 (Perm) is currently the best women’s football club in Russia. They are also ranked 3 in women’s football clubs ranking (compiled by www.womensworldfootball.com). Zvezda 2005 is also the only Russian club in the ranking.

History

Zvezda 2005 was founded in 2005 and won their first home titles in 2007, winning both Russian women’s football Top league and Russian Women’s Cup. In 2008 Zvezda 2005 won the Top league, reached the final of Russian Women’s Cup, in 2009 – reached the final of UEFA Women’s Cup.

While in Russia women’s football is not very popular, Zvezda 2005 is the women’s football club with highest average match attendance.

Star players

Nataliya Zinchenko, Ukrainian international, captains Zvezda 2005. She is the main attacking player in the squad.

Elena Suslova, Russian international, won Russian women’s football Top league 3 times and has also twice lifted Russian Women’s Cup.

Natalia Barbashina is a veteran player, her career began back in 1992 and since that she has won Russian women’s football Top league 7 times and Russian Women’s Cup – 9 times.

Olga Sergaeva has won both Russian women’s football Top league and Russian Women’s Cup for 5 times.

Club’s infrastructure

Zvezda 2005 shares Zvezda stadium with local men football club Amkar, which currently plays in Russian Premier League.

Zvezda 2005 has a youth team and a cheerleading support team.

Marketing

Zvezda 2005 works diligently to increase women’s football attendance in Perm. Zvezda 2005 runs joint marketing campaigns with local business, has built up close relations with regional web-sites.

So far Zenit (Saint Petersburg) are doing not so well in the title chase. Zenit has played 10 games in Russian Premier League (20 games are left to play). With 15 points Zenit occupies 7th place in the table. Rubin (Kazan) stand first with 21 points. CSKA (Moscow), Krylia Sovetov (Samara) and FC Moscow come next, each team has 19 points.

Zenit has won 4 games, drawn 3 times and lost to FC Rostov, FC CSKA, Dynamo (Moscow). Zenit failed to win against worst rivals (Spartak, CSKA, Lokomotiv).

Several forces may ruin Zenit expectations this season.

Lost leaders

Andrei Arshavin joined Arsenal. Danny, a player bought to replace Arshavin, will presumably miss the rest of the season due to a severe injury. Captain Anatoliy Tymoschuk will probably join Bayern Munich in summer (Russian mid-season).

Misfit expectations

Igor Semshov, one of Russian national team leaders, has played just 481 minutes (out of 900) in the current season and still hasn’t established himself as a key player for Zenit.

Szabolcs Huszti has played just 152 minutes and clearly hasn’t yet impressed Zenit coaching staff. Now with Danny injured Zenit needs Huszti to put on pace.

Fatih Tekke, Turkish international, was moved to the reserve team and has been put on transfer list. That makes Pogrebnyak the only forward in Zenit squad.

Squad unbalanced

Zenit has a lot of brilliant midfielders, just enough defenders, but lacks players in the attack. Pavel Pogrebnyak and Fatih Tekke are the only forwards, Szabolcs Huszti is the only attacking midfielder fit.

Unsettled speculations

Dick Advocaat, reportedly, reached an agreement with Belgian Football Association and will take charge of Belgian national team after the season.

Pavel Pogrebnyak and Anatoliy Tymoschuk may leave the team in summer.

Alexander Tarhanov

Tarhanov, soviet football player and Russian football coach, has a blog devoted to transfers and player management. In the recent posts he examines Spartak (Moscow) squad.

Anatoliy Byshovets

Anatoliy Byshovets is a prominent USSR football player and a successful football manager. The blog covers his personal feelings about football and other topics.

Andrey Tikhonov

Tikhonov is a famous Russian football player, he is most admired by Spartak (Moscow) fans, since he was one of the key players of Spartak squad back in 1992 – 2000. Tikhonov is currently a Lokomotiv Astana (Kazakhstan) player. In the blog Tikhonov writes both about Russian and Kazakhstani football leagues.

Antonin Kinsky

Kinsky is Saturn (Ramenskoye) goalkeeper and Czech Republic international. In the recent post Kinsky tries to explain what’s wrong in the team. Saturn has won just one game in the current season, with 6 points they are occupying the 15th position in Russian Premier League table.

Diniyar Bilyaletdinov

Lokomotiv (Moscow) captain and Russian international offers insides from Russian national team and Lokomotiv.

Igor Akinfeev

CSKA captain and Russian international writes about CSKA and Russian national team.

Leonid Slutsky

Leonid Slutsky is Krylia Sovetov (Samara) coach. He writes about team affairs and other football related topics.

Sergei Ovchinnikov

Sergei Ovchinnikov, famous Russian goalkeeper and current Kuban (Krasnodar) coach has also started his blog.

Valeri Nepomniachi

Valeri Nepomniachi, Tom (Tomsk) manager and one of the most reputable Russian football experts. He writes about national and international football, recalls personal stories and memorable experiences.

Vladislav Radimov

Radimov was an extremely popular Zenit (Saint Petersburg) captain, he is currently Zenit team manager. Radimov started his blog while he was still a player, he writes about club affairs, analyses significant events in Russian Premier League and international football.

Yuri Kovtun

Kovtun, a brilliant Russian midfielder, started coaching career in 2007, since then he works with FC MVD Rossii (Moscow), Russian First Division club. In the blog Kovtun writes both about Russian Premier League affairs and his club.

Zico

CSKA coach writes about club affairs and gives his opinion on various football issues.

While CSKA (Moscow) and Zenit (Saint Petersburg) are clearly the favorites of the race for the Russian Premier League title, a number of other clubs may achieve a major success this season.

Rubin (Kazan)

Rubin are the current Russian Premier League champions. With solid financial backing (thanks to local authorities) and experienced squad Rubin can hold the title once again this season.

Manager

Gurban Berdiyew has been working with Rubin since 2001, this season might be his last season as Rubin manager, Berdiyew is reportedly willing to occupy a managing director office in Rubin, concentrating on club facilities and football academy. Gurban Berdiyew has a reputation of a sheltered man, rarely talking to public or media, his is also one of the few coaches, working without an assistant manager.

Star players

Sergei Semak captains FC Rubin and Russian national team. Semak has also captained CSKA (Moscow) and FC Moscow. Sergei Semak is an attacking midfielder and a playmaker, he is a key person in Rubin squad.

Gökdeniz Karadeniz, Turkish international, also plays as an attacking midfielder. Karadeniz claims that one of the reasons, why he plays for Rubin and not any other European club, is an opportunity to live in a large Muslim region, Tatrstan, amongst people of the same religion.

Alejandro Dominguez, Argentine striker. Dominguez was a key player for Rubin since 2004 until 2007, when he joined Zenit (Saint Petersburg). However in Zenit Alejandro Dominguez failed to establish himself as a first team regular. In the current season Dominguez re-joined Rubin on loan, has already made two appearances and scored.

Estimates

Rubin will make a strong push for the title, but it will be hard to compete with CSKA and Zenit.

Lokomotiv (Moscow)

Lokomotiv hasn’t won Russian Premier League title since 2004, but is traditionally successful in cup-ties.

Manager

Rashid Rakhimov worked brilliantly with Amkar (Perm), but winning a title with Lokomotiv is a much harder task for him.

Star players

Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, Lokomotiv captain. 24-year old is expected to be a powerful leader for Lokomotiv this season. His challenge is to establish himself as one of the best Russian players, along with Andrei Arshavin and Yuriy Zhirkov.

Dmitri Torbinski is a talented player, who has performed brilliantly in some games for Russian national team, Spartak (Moscow) and Lokomotiv (Moscow). His full talent is yet to be unlocked. Torbinski also has to cope with own dedication which sometimes passes into aggression.

Dmitri Sychev, 25 years old, was regarded as one of the most talented Russian strikers and spent two years in Olympique Marseille. Sychev is able to become the best striker of Russian Premier League and Lokomotiv fans fully expect that.

Estimates

Lokomotiv can make a strong push for the title if all the talented players show their best.

Spartak (Moscow)

Spartak is the most popular football club in Russia, supported by the most aggressive fan movements. Spartak dominated Russian football during the 1990s but in the current season won’t even play in the UEFA Europa League.

Manager

Michael Laudrup has successfully worked with Brøndby (Denmark) and Getafe (Spain), but Spartak, with fans demanding the title every season, is a major challenge for him.

Star players

Stipe Pletikosa, Croatian international, is Spartak first-choice goalkeeper. In his previous club, Shakhtar (Donetsk), Pletikosa was a reserve goalkeeper, but in Spartak he has firmly established himself as a key player.

Vladimir Bystrov, Spartak’s brilliant right winger is arguably the best attacking player in the current squad. Since 2001 until 2005 Bystrov was raised by Spartak’s worst rival, Zenit (Saint Petersburg). Though Bystrov has some personal friends in Zenit squad, his visits to Zenit pitch are often scandalous.

Estimates

Reaching a place in the top-3 will be a success for Spartak, while many supporters are looking forward to winning a title.

Dynamo (Moscow)

One of the best clubs in Soviet Top League history Dynamo (Moscow) has never won a Russian Premier League title.

Manager

Andrey Kobelev started his coaching career in 2006, replacing Yuri Semin as a Dynamo manager. Kobelev is a much fancied manager, under his guidance Dynamo performs in a lively and highly attractive way.

Star players

Vladimir Gabulov is an impressive goalkeeper, he has performed brilliantly in the 2008 season, first for Amkar (Perm), then for Dynamo. His game was a key factor in the club’s success last season.

Aleksandr Kerzhakov failed to establish himself firmly in Sevilla (Spain) starting 11 and decided to return to Russian Premier League. Although being a key player for Dynamo Kerzhakov hasn’t forced his way back to the national squad, he might do so in 2009 season.

Dmitri Khokhlov, Dynamo captain, was one of the best Russian midfielders in the 1990s, he won 53 caps for Russian national squad. Khokhlov is a key player for Dynamo.

Estimates

Few expect Dynamo to win the title this season, but face-to-face Dynamo are not underdogs to any Russian club. Their major drawback is a small squad of just 20 players.

Krylia Sovetov (Samara)

Krylia Sovetov has never won Soviet Top League or Russian Premier League. Still rivals should reckon with them.

Krylia Sovetov is the only European club with players both from North and South Korea, also Oh Beom-Seok (South Korea) and Choe Myong-Ho (North Korea) are hardly communicating.

Manager

Leonid Slutsky, 37 years old, is already an experienced coach, he has worked with 4 teams and reached 3rd place in Russian Premier League final table with FC Moscow.

Star players

Jan Koller, retired Czech international, is the key attacking player for Krylia Sovetov. Jan Koller is one of the best strikers in Russian Premier League.

Estimates

Krylia Sovetov will fight for a place in the top-3, if others slip, they may occupy a higher position.

FC Moscow

Moscow is a young team (established just in 1997) with very few supporters, Moscow is firmly competing in the Russian Premier League and gradually expanding own fan base.

Manager

Miodrag Božovic was very successful with Amkar (Perm), in 2008 he occupied a 4th place in Russian Premier League final table with a very moderate team. Since 2000 Božovic has already managed 9 teams in various countries. Being 196 cm (6′ 5″) high Božovic claims to be the highest football coach in the world.

Star players

Héctor Bracamonte, Argentine striker, is the best attacking player in Moscow squad. Bracamonte is called “Pushkin” by Moscow supporters, due to his likeness with famous Russian poet.

Mariusz Jop, Polish international, is Moscow main defensive player.

Estimates

Miodrag Božovic can make things happen with any players at his disposal, so it’s better to consider FC Moscow as title challengers in 2009.

CSKA, established in 1911, is one of the best football clubs in Russia. CSKA holds 3 Russian Premier League titles, 4 Russian Cups and 4 Russian Super Cups. The recent Super Cup has been already won with a new manager, Zico.

Manager

Zico was one of the best players in world football, now he is a prominent manager. Zico has already collected some trophies: Asian Cup (2004), Turkish Super League Championship (2007), Turkish Super Cup (2007), Uzbek Cup (2008), Uzbek Oliy League Championship (2008), Russian Super Cup (2009).

Zico was given a new nickname by Fenerbahçe fans: Kral Arthur (”King Arthur”).

In Russia CSKA is often called a “Brazilian” club, due to the impact and number of Brazilian players, Zico is obviously developing this image, though CSKA game doesn’t depend on Brazilian players now.

Star players

Igor Akinfeev is a masterful goalkeeper, who can influence the game and neutralize the rival’s attacking potential. He is a first choice goalkeeper both for the club and the country. Akinfeev became an international player at the age of 18, he is currently 23 years old. He is also the youngest goalkeeper in Russian football history, who has not conceded a goal for 100 games.

Sergei Ignashevich has won Russian Premier League title with two clubs, Lokomotiv (Moscow) and CSKA. He is the most important defensive player both in CSKA and in Russian national team.

Miloš Krasić, Serbian international, is CSKA key midfielder. Reportedly he has been targeted by a number of European top-clubs.

Yuriy Zhirkov plays on the left wing and manages to be both a key defending and a key attacking player. In Russian national team he plays as a left defender, while in CSKA his position is more offensive. Russian Football Union called Zhirkov the best Russian football player in 2008.

Vagner Love is Russian Premier League best striker, he has won 21 caps for Brazil. Since 2004 Vagner Love has scored 58 goals for CSKA and made 105 appearances.

Local talent

Georgi Shchennikov, 17 years old, made 13 appearances for CSKA, most of them in the current season. Shchennikov recalls that just recently he has been “delivering balls“ to Yuriy Zhirkov and Vagner Love. Georgi Shchennikov plays as a left full-back.

Strengths

Squad. CSKA has a fantastic squad, Igor Akinfeev, Yuriy Zhirkov and Vagner Love are the best players on their positions in Russian Premier League. CSKA with 25 players has enough depth in the squad to substitute any player in case of injury.

Ambition. CSKA last won Russian Premier League 3 years ago and the players are hungered for the title.

Weakness

Understanding. The players are yet to find understanding with the new manager and his ideas.

Estimates

CSKA has got enough power to win the title this season, if the manager and the squad find common ground and Zico unlocks the potential of his players, it will be hard for any rival to overcome CSKA.

Zenit (Saint Petersburg)

FC Zenit, founded in 1925, is one of the best teams in Russia. Since 2007 Zenit dominates Russian football, it has gathered a great bunch of players, including a number of remarkable international players. Since the departure of Andrei Arshavin Zenit is still trying to align its attacking game.

Manager

Dick Advocaat moved to Zenit in 2006 and was expected to leave by 2007. However he is still in the club. Before Zenit Advocaat has worked in such clubs as PSV Eindhoven, Rangers (Glasgow), Borussia Mönchengladbach and also with Netherlands, United Arab Emirates and South Korea national teams.

Advocaat is the most successful manager in Zenit history, with Zenit he won UEFA Cup, UEFA Super Cup, Russian Premier League, Russian Super Cup. In 2008 Advocaat was granted the honorary citizenship of the city of Saint Petersburg.

Advocaat is often criticized for not developing young local players and considerable transfer spending.

Star players

Anatoliy Tymoschuk, Zenit captain. Tymoschuk is a key player for the team, occupying defensive midfielder position Tymoschuk effectively decreases an attacking potential of any rival. Tymoschuk is also good in offense, he has scored some important goals for Zenit. Anatoliy Tymoschuk is the heart of the team.

Danny moved to Zenit in 2008 as a replacement of Andrei Arshavin and has firmly established himself as Zenit key attacking player. Danny was bought by Zenit for a fee of €30 million, he is the most expensive player of the Russian Premier League. Danny made 5 appearances for Portugal national team but earning a firm position in Portugal starting 11 is still a prime challenge for him.

Konstantin Zyryanov, midfielder, is an extremely important player both for Zenit and Russian national team. Zyryanov is often described as the most creative player on the pitch.

Pavel Pogrebnyak, sometimes referred to as “the Great Po”, is Zenit main goalscorer, especially since the transfer of Andrei Arshavin. In Russian national team Pogrebnyak competes with Roman Pavlyuchenko for a place in starting 11, this competition started in Spartak (Moscow), were both played in 2003.

Vyacheslav Malafeev, born in 1979, is a permanent Zenit goalkeeper, one of the best goalkeepers in Russia. Malafeev is quite popular with Zenit fans, he is the head of youth fan movement. Malafeev graduated Saint Petersburg University of Physical Training and has a diploma in “Sports and football”.

Aleksandr Anyukov is one of the most important defenders in Zenit. Anyukov is skillful both in defense and in attack, has an incredible pace and stamina.

Local talent

Igor Denisov, Russian international, plays for Zenit since 2001. Denisov was born in Leningrad (Saint Petersburg) and has played for two local teams before joining Zenit. Denisov’s performance in 2008 was outstanding, currently Igor Denisov occupies midfielder position.

Strengths

Squad. Zenit has the best squad in Russia, some outstanding players, such as Russian international Igor Semsov or Turkish international Fatih Tekke, even don’t even strike into starting 11.

Cooperation. A number of players have been playing in Zenit for two or more years. Fans expect effective cooperation and understanding between players.

Competition. Zenit has good players on the pitch, good players on the bench and good players on the list. Only captain Anatoliy Tymoschuk may regard himself irreplaceable, all the rest have to give the best on the pitch and during the training sessions.

Weaknesses

Pitch. Zenit play on Petrovsky Stadium, built in 1925 and reconstructed before the Olympics 1980. Zenit needs a good pitch, without mounds and puddles, to show its best, ironically its own pitch, especially in spring and autumn, doesn’t let Zenit play its best football.

Absence of “killer instinct”. Zenit often dominates the game, locks the rival on its own half, effectively shoots on goal, but doesn’t score. After such games Advocaat says that he is proud with his players, experts argue that Zenit should have won. Anyway two points are gone.

Small squad. Zenit squad includes 21 players, two of them are goalkeepers, two more are injured. That restricts rotation opportunities. On some games in Europe Zenit can’t detach 18 players to fill the registration form.

Estimates

Zenit is likely to win the title this season. Also the race for the title will be fierce, some important points will be lost, some ridiculous results will take place.

The very depth of 2008 brought huge change into FC Spartak management. Valery Karpin replaced Sergey Shavlo as Spartak CEO while hard-edged and decisive Stanislav Cherchesov stepped off the job and after lasting negotiations Michael Laudrup became a new Spartak manager.

Laudrup is best known for his playing career, a short spell in Getafe and 4 years spent in Brøndby still didn’t earn him firm managerial reputation. Of course, fans did not expect ten victories in a row, but still 8th place in Premier League, UEFA Cup failure and generally weak game couldn’t be ignored. Even though Laudrup’s Spartak gained a victory over worst rival, CSKA, his results are controversial. This could be explained by the allocation of two captains, Titov and Kalynychenko, and Rubin’s tremendous pace.

Laudrup’s full potential will be revealed in the upcoming season, the team had a robust pre-season training, some shopping has been made. On March the 15th we will see a refreshed Spartak. Still after marvelous Zenit and CSKA displays in UEFA Cup one might doubt Spartak’s ability to compete with such pace, temper and uncompromising attitude.

Laudrup will need a hit to win over CSKA and Zenit, Russian best clubs so far.