Before the new Russian Premier League season kicked off, CSKA Moscow faced a familiar challenge: a lineup that felt thin beyond the starting XI. A former defender from Spartak Moscow, Evgeny Lovchev, expressed in a letter channel that CSKA was short on depth in multiple positions. He pointedly noted that the squad lacked a reliable substitute on the bench and that the offense could use a top-class striker to complement the core players. Specifically, Lovchev mentioned the need for a forward of high caliber, someone who could deliver goals consistently when the regular attackers were unavailable or out of form, naming players of a similar standard to Wagner or Doumbia as benchmarks for the club’s ambitions.
Looking back at the 2022/23 campaign, Anton Zabolotny appeared 24 times and managed three goals, a contribution that highlighted both his persistence and the limitations the team faced in attack. CSKA’s performance in the league saw them finish close to the top three in a tight race with Zenit St. Petersburg and Spartak Moscow, with Zenit edging ahead by a comfortable margin as the season drew to a close. The narrow gap behind the leaders underscored the need for squad reinforcement—clear evidence that a more potent bench could help CSKA sustain performance across all competitions and maintain momentum when injuries or suspensions arose.
As CSKA prepared to begin their league campaign, their schedule opened with an away fixture against Ural Yekaterinburg. The match was set for July 22, with kickoff at 13:00 Moscow time, presenting a chance for the club to demonstrate that the assembled roster could translate potential into points on the road and build confidence early in the season. This opening test would also offer an early barometer of how the tactical plans and depth of the squad would stand up to a concrete challenge, especially in the final third where the team had previously sought more consistency.
Meanwhile, the broader rhythm of Russian football added another talking point: the Russian Super Cup would feature Zenit and CSKA in a highly anticipated clash. The contest was framed as a meaningful showdown that could set the tone for the domestic battles ahead, with both clubs hoping to claim early silverware and signal their intent for the campaign. The forthcoming duel sparked discussions about how each side would address their ongoing needs and how personnel choices could influence the outcomes of big matches later in the year.
In summation, CSKA’s early-season narrative centered on balancing a competitive first team with a reliable reservoir of talent ready to step in at critical moments. Lovchev’s assessment, echoed by fans and pundits alike, underscored a universal truth in football: depth matters just as much as star power. The club faced a pivotal period where strategic recruitment, smart substitutions, and consistent performance from the forward line would shape their fortunes across the long grind of the season. Externally driven expectations remained high, yet the focus stayed anchored on practical steps—strengthening the squad, maintaining discipline in results, and building a cohesive unit capable of meeting the demands of a demanding domestic schedule.