In the sixth round of the Russian Premier League, all teams vying for medals faced less prominent opponents. Most of them, with the exception of Lokomotiv, secured convincing victories, including Spartak. Should Krasnodar and CSKA also triumph on Sunday, it would underscore the principle: the wealthier team prevails.
Match Highlights and Key Outcomes
This round featured the league`s six wealthiest teams—the top six from last season and current bookmakers` favorites—all pitted against less formidable rivals.
Lokomotiv`s Disappointing Draw
League leaders Lokomotiv comfortably dominated the first half against Rostov with goals from Batrakov and Vorobyov. However, in the second half, they allowed Rostov to equalize, prompting the introduction of game-changer Komlichenko. In the 83rd minute, Nikolai masterfully set up Silyanov, who headed the ball past the goalkeeper, making it 3-2. Had it not been for defender Morozov`s complacent decision in the eighth minute of added time, Lokomotiv would have held onto first place until at least September. The match ultimately ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw, a bright but disappointing result for the “railwaymen.”
Spartak`s Resurgence
Meanwhile, Spartak delivered an excellent performance. For the second consecutive match, Stanislav Cherchesov`s team left no room for criticism. Commentator Roman Titov of “Match Premier” perfectly captured the prevailing sentiment:
“Spartak`s initial performance this season and their current league position don`t accurately reflect their capabilities. It`s truly challenging to assess Spartak because they`ve spent a significant amount of time playing at a disadvantage, often not even with a full 11 players on the field. Today, everyone surely understood that Spartak was still the favorite. Especially considering the points they`ve dropped and the media pressure they`re under, Spartak was obligated to win today. Many even suggested that Dejan Stankovic was coaching his decisive match, with a loss potentially leading to his departure. However, today wasn`t just about how good Spartak was, but also about Rubin`s failure to deliver. We saw almost nothing offensively from the Kazan team.”
I would respectfully disagree with Roman on one point: it wasn`t that Rubin failed to perform, but rather that Spartak prevented them from doing so. Spartak`s defensive solidity stifled Rubin`s passing game and wing attacks. Their superior physical conditioning became evident in the second half following the introduction of Argentine player Solari. A brilliant tactical move by Stankovic! Spartak clinched a 2-0 victory with goals from Solari and Martins.
Zenit`s Dominance and Coach`s Critique
Beyond Spartak, Zenit also delighted their fans, overwhelming a decent Makhachkala side with a dominant 4-0 win. Despite this, vice-champion manager Sergey Semak, as is his custom, identified numerous shortcomings in his team`s play:
“We had many chances today, including several one-on-one situations, which is rare. But the finishing was a bit disappointing: both Andrey Mostovoy and Luis Enrique had so many opportunities that certainly needed to be converted. And, of course, our errors and sloppiness, especially at the start of the first half—those `kicks` and certain `gifts` we created for ourselves out of nowhere. Practically our entire defensive line did not perform at their best today in terms of ball control and defensive reliability.”
It is commendable that the coach of Russia`s most esteemed club remains self-critical. The era of Zenit`s dominance appears to be over. At least two teams currently seem superior to his squad, both of whom are playing on Sunday.
Upcoming Matches and Current Standings
Reigning champions Krasnodar will face Krylia Sovetov in Samara, while CSKA will host Akron at the VEB Arena—the same team to whom the Army men lost in a penalty shootout in the Cup on August 12th.
Russian Premier League Table (After Matchday 6):
- Lokomotiv – 14 points
- Krasnodar – 12 points
- CSKA – 11 points (Krasnodar and CSKA both have a game in hand)
- Rubin – 10 points
- Zenit and Baltika – 9 points each (sharing fifth place)
- Spartak and Krylia Sovetov – 8 points each
Interestingly, Lokomotiv also held first place in the sixth round last year. However, the season did not conclude as favorably for the “railwaymen,” as they ultimately finished in sixth position.
Rupert Blackwood 
Clement Ashworth