SATURN VS DYNAMO HIGHLIGHT SATURDAY

Charging into the final third of the campaign, the Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia returns to play this weekend in match-day twenty-one and a series of crucial contests. While Zenit Saint Petersburg looks to be sailing clear to the victor’s podium, the race could not be tighter for berths on the European stage.


The action gets underway Saturday as Rashid Rakhimov’s Amkar Perm welcomes Krylya Sovetov in a relegation battle of enormous importance. The Samaran’s lodged their first victory this year under manager Alexandr Tarkhanov last week in a shocking upset of Nalchik but have otherwise been a highly disciplined unit since he returned for his third stint with the club. The arrival of Pavel Yakovlev, on loan from Spartak, could be the masterstroke that saves them from relegation, as the young gun is capable of providing the attacking impetus that has been lacking. While Amkar Perm sits four points above the drop zone, Rashid Rakhimov’s Red-Black unit is far from inspiring. Last week they were run roughshod by Rubin Kazan and will need production on the road if they are to escape relegation. However, in their Ural Mountain home they have proven to be a tough competitor with two consecutive victories and will the need the same resolve in this strategically important contest.

Alaniya Vladikavkazv welcomes European hopefuls Rostov after last weeks stunning added-time rally to defeat Sibir Novosibirsk. Vladimir Shevchuk’s side looked to be heading defeat, a costly loss that would have seen their relegation fears heighten but otherwise making steady improvement since the break. Rostov’s surprising race towards a spot in Europe sees them at the fifth spot after edging Anzhi Makhachkala last week in a disciplined display. Oleh Protasov has reworked his tactical plan and over the last six engagements, his side have been a tight defending unit that has surrendered only two goals. That aside, Rostov’s once potent flanking assault has been lacking and will need to produce if they are win premier spot in Europe

In the final match of Saturday, coming off their loss to Spartak, Saturn Moskovskaya Oblast entertains Dynamo Moscow to nearby Ramenskoe. The celebrations of July are in the past as Andrey Gordeev’s side have a scant point to show for the last four contests and need to gut out some results or they will feel the heat of the bottom of the table. He will further be without the services of Ruslan Nakhushev, Vadim Evseev and Benoît Angbwa, all out to due to card build-up. Saturn will need veterans Dmitriy Kirichenko, Andrey Karyaka and Denis Boyarintsev to step up against Dynamo if they are to be victorious. The White-Blues might be the anomaly of the league as despite possessing scores of talent, seem to under perform and lack confidence. At some stage, Dynamo will surely boil over and begin to play to their ability and the pedigree of Andriy Voronin and Kevin Kurányi shine through. Miodrag Božović’s men overcame Terek Grozny last week but there is still considerable room for growth. He will be without the surfaces of Andriy Voronin, under suspension, presumably resulting in Martin Jakubko getting a chance to star against his former teammates.

Prepared by John Davies


... but nothing matches the thrill and challenge of having money on the line!

NALCHIK AND ROSTOV IN CRUCIAL FRIDAY NIGHT BATTLE

Week Eighteen of Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia opens with a Friday evening battle that could have enormous implications on the race for a spot in Europe as Rostov welcomes fourth place Spartak Nalchik.


Whilst the attention has been on the likes of CSKA and Rubin fighting it out for the second spot, Yuriy Krasnozhan's Nalchik side have crept to within two points of a Champions League spot and Rostov is not backing down. The two upstarts sit at fourth and fifth in the table and as the campaign nears the final stretch run have a distinct possibility at grabbing a spot in Europe.

Oleh Protasov's Rostov have continued to play an up-tempo style and after a brief dip against Zenit and Dynamo have found their footing with three consecutive victories. Roman Adamov continues to produce with Alexandr Pavlenko a consistent force going forward. Rostov's lone absence is Dragan Blatnjak and Nalchik should expect their hosts to be patient and unwilling to expose themselves in the counter.

Nalchik is undoubtedly one of the season's great surprises and at the root of their success is the work of David Siradze and Vladimir Dyadyun. Nalchik's counter attacks have wreaked havoc on many this year with those two particularly dangerous. Manager Yuriy Krasnozhan has a fully fit line-up available to him and knows that a victory would propel his side to second and continue their push towards the Champions League.

Prepared by John Davies
... but nothing matches the thrill and challenge of having money on the line!

PROTASOV EYES CLASH WITH DYNAMO

The head coach of Rostov Oleg Protasov eyes the start of the RPL after the summer break.


"I do not want to make big conclusions after two good matches," said Protasov meaning victories over Spartak Moscow and Salyut Belgorod.

"Though of course we did our best during the summer break: worked on physique, played good sparrings. And now it is important not to slow down the pace."

"Our next opponent is Dynamo – a strong team with very good midfield: Khokhlov, Semshov, Samedov. Moreover they have a new head coach and I think he will rush his team forward."

ROSTOV TO SIGN ANGELOV

Rostov has agreed to acquire Bulgarian midfielder Stanislav Angelov.


The 32-year-old Angelov made his debut in his national team in 2006, made 30 appearances and netted two goals. His contract with his previous club Energie expired in June.

"My agent is acquainted with Alexandr Shikunov [Rostov sporting director], who offered me to continue my career in Rostov", Angelov told sport press. "Steaua was also interested in me, but I chose Russia".

"A lot of my compatriots play in the Russian championship and they like playing there. Moreover this championship is popular in Europe, that is important for me since I play in the national team".

"My contract will be signed for one year and a half, and when I get working permission, it will be immediately signed".

PREMIER LEAGUE SATURDAY MATCHES PREVIEW

Following the Friday evening Caucasus Derby between Alaniya Vladikavkaz and Spartak Nalchik, the Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia features four key matches, including important test for the leagues new entrants this campaign.


After solid starts last week, Anzhi Makhachkala and Sibir Novosibirsk face tough tests as they head out on the road, in matches that will show a great deal if they have the ability to stay in the top flight.

The opening match of the day sees Anzhi Makhachkala visits Amkar Perm as both sides look for an important win. Rashid Rakhimov’s side were superb in last weeks opening tussle against CSKA Moscow and ground the Army-Men attack down to a trickle. With the exception of a late, highly fortuitous goal by Keisuke Honda, Amkar was perfect and deserving of a draw. Anzhi Makhachkala showed a strong defending resolve in their opening week draw with Nalchik and will need to show similar traits against the Red-Blacks. Anzhi manager Omari Tetradze was rewarded with superb play from Jan Holenda once he was introduced after the break and will be tempted to bring the former Sparta Praha man into the starting eleven.

In the opening week of the campaign, Rostov ran into the Sergey Kornilenko show of Tom Tomsk, something many sides may find out this year, in route to a loss. They face an equally tough test as they visit Chechnya’s Terek Grozny who could be one of the surprises of the season. Anatoly Baidachny’s side boasts an attacking juggernaut of Bulgarian playmaker Blagoy Georgiev, a fit Hector Bracamonte and Shamil Asildarov, who picked up where he left off last year at Nalchik. Rostov will need to show a significantly improved defending vision against Grozny or they will go down to their second defeat in the early season.

Sibir Novosibirsk travel to Ramenskoe to face Saturn Moskovskaya Oblast, in what will surely be less than hospitable surroundings. Andrey Gordeev’s have consistently shown a better front at home and they will be looking to make amends for last week’s draw with Alaniya Vladikavkaz. The opening day test saw their hosts buoyed with support of their home fans and after the Ramenskoe-side went out in front early, it was clear the absences of attacking forces Dmitriy Loskov and Marko Topić greatly limited their efforts later in the day. The Siberian’s are the favourites for the drop and need to consider wisely tactical choices on the road. Last weeks loss to Terek Grozny showed a tenacious resolve and some solid points to build on but they face a key test in how they will approach play away from home. Sibir manager Igor Kriushenko saw very solid attacking vision from Alexandr Degtyaryov and Alexey Medvedev after the break and will have some decisions to make with his line-up. He will however be without the services of Denis Bukhryakov, under suspension, as he was sent-off late last week.

In the final match of the day Krylya Sovetov face the difficult test of visiting Yuriy Semin’s Lokomotiv Moscow. The Railwaymen are nearly unstoppable in front of their home fans and following their loss to Rubin Kazan in the opening week of competition will have something to prove. Whether it was the near unplayable “field” in Kazan that limited Lokomotiv’s efforts or just poor finishing, they need to show greater production from their strikers when the opportunity presents itself. The Samaran’s are coming off a peculiar loss to Zenit Saint Petersburg, in which they will have mixed emotions. Clearly out-matched by the Saint Petersburg side, the financially troubled unit showed solid defending resolve. Other than Danny’s counter attack goal, Samaran manager Yuriy Gazzaev put together a tactical gem in keeping the match without one strike. In their trip to the capital city, they will need to do the same against Lokomotiv. For fans of tactical football, this has the makings of a brilliant encounter with the genius of Yuriy Semin pitted against a very impressive Yuriy Gazzaev.

Prepared by John Davies

PREMIER LEAGUE SATURDAY PROGRAM PREVIEW

Following the Friday evening season opener of Amkar Perm versus CSKA Moscow at Luzhniki Stadium, the balance of the Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia gets underway on the weekend.


Krylya Sovetov v Zenit Saint-Petersburg

Saturday begins with high flying Zenit Saint Petersburg visiting Krylya Sovetov in Samara.

Of the many heroes in the 2009 Russian campaign, there is a special chapter dedicated to Anatoliy Davydov. Starting with his extraordinary playing days for Zenit Leningrad, through to his coaching career, Mr. Davydov has shown tireless devotion for Zenit and once he took over from Dick Advocaat in August the club quickly pushed to a third place finish.

With former Roma manager Luciano Spalletti now in-charge, Zenit has re-tooled its line-up into one of the most potent attacking sides in Russia with firm plans on European play. Along with Alexandr Kerzhakov returning from Dynamo, Zenit has added Serbian international Danko Lazović from PSV and defender Michael Lumb from AGF. Combined with Vladimir Bystrov, Danny and Szabolcs Huszti, Zenit are capable of scoring at will and an immediate threat to stand atop the league at years-end.

For Krylya Sovetov, the winter months were a trying time as they faced enormous financial hurdles to escape the same fate of FC Moscow. Faced with uncertainty to this day, with countless questions on the payment of player and coaches salaries, manager Yuriy Gazzaev faces a massive task. The Samaran’s have lost their top talent, including Jan Koller, Jiří Jarošík, Timofey Kalachev and Vladislav Ignatyev, with few additions to note. Krylia will need Evgeniy Savin and the highly promising Alexandr Stavpets, who arrived from FC Moscow, to produce in the attacking end within a well disciplined plan of attack.

Anzhi Makhachkala v Spartak Nalchik

The second match of Saturday sees 2009 “great escape” winners, Spartak Nalchik, visit newly promoted Anzhi Makhachkala.

Spartak Nalchik stunning last season run to avoid relegation was awe inspiring. Manager Yuriy Krasnozhan has lost sharpshooter Shamil Asildarov to Terek Grozny along with Antonio Ferreira and Dmitriy Yatchenko, without a great deal of incoming talent.

After winning the First Division, Omari Tetradze's Anzhi Makhachkala have added Mitar Peković from Vojvodina, Jan Holenda from Sparta Praha and Todor Timonov from CSKA Sofia.

Rostov v Tom Tomsk

In the final match of Saturday, Rostov welcomes Tom Tomsk in what is likely to be a mid-table battle.

Rostov barely avoided relegation last year but made considerable additions to this years line-up that includes Sorin Ghionea from Steaua Bucureşti, Timofei Kalachev from Krylya Sovetov, goalkeeper Dejan Radić from Spartak Nalchik as well as loaning Roman Adamov from Rubin Kazan and Stanislav Ivanov from Lokomotiv Moscow. Manager Oleg Protasov, is no stranger to football aficionados of the Soviet Union and has a very capable line-up as he targets a mid-table finish.

Siberia's Tom Tomsk, led by Valeriy Nepomnyaschy is capable of a mid-table table finish along with side savvy Đorđe Jokić returning have but have made crucial additions with Kim Nam-Il from Vissel Kobe, Belarusian striker Sergey Kornilenko, on-loan from Zenit Saint Petersburg and Serghei Covalciuc from Spartak Moscow.

Prepared by John Davies