CSKA Moscow opened the season with a startling defensive record, conceding 15 goals in the first nine rounds of the Russian Premier League—the kind of statistic that alarms a club’s supporters and sets a demanding standard for the weeks ahead. Opta’s data confirms a clear disconnect between the defense and the opposing attack during this early stretch, highlighting a phase where stabilizing the back line became a pressing priority for the army club.
On the scoring side, CSKA sits behind Zenit in the goals tally for this term while playing in Russia’s top flight. Vladimir Fedotov’s squad has managed 19 goals so far, with Wings of the Soviets from Samara ahead at 21. That offensive surge signals potential when combined with tighter defending, and it underscores the need for sharper efficiency in creating chances and finishing them off in front of goal.
Across the nine rounds, only CSKA and Rubin Kazan failed to post a clean sheet in any match. The recurring vulnerabilities at the back have become a focal point for fans and analysts as the team looks to rebound from a difficult early spell and set a more balanced course for the remainder of the campaign.
In the ninth round, CSKA travelled to Rostov-on-Don and avoided defeat, but results there were mixed with 0:2 and 1:3 losses against Rostov. That sequence left the Red-Blue positioned ninth in the standings with 13 points, illustrating the uphill climb to lift themselves toward the upper half. Attention naturally turns to a home date with Baltika Kaliningrad, scheduled at the VEB Arena. The kickoff is programmed for October 1 at 19:00 local time, a fixture viewed as a potential turning point to stabilize form, restore confidence, and re-energize the fan base.
Commentary around CSKA’s current difficulties has included insights from former Zenit player Maxim Demenko, who identified the core issues facing the squad. His analysis points to structural and tactical elements that demand immediate adjustment if the club is to reverse the negative run and re-enter contention for European ambitions in the latter part of the season. The remarks reflect a broader debate about achieving balance between defensive resilience and attacking efficiency, a balance that often decides a club’s trajectory in a league that prizes both ends of the pitch.
As teams across Russia and beyond stress the importance of resilience, CSKA’s path forward becomes clearer. The talent exists to compete at a high level, yet early results reveal gaps that require cohesive defending, smarter progression of the ball, and more clinical finishing. The forthcoming home match represents a key opportunity to reset, secure three points, and regain momentum. Supporters will be looking for a performance that demonstrates reinforced organization, sharper execution in the final third, and a clear strategy to reduce the goals conceded as the season moves ahead.