Former Russian national team defender Denis Kolodin, who once played for Moscow Dynamo, shared his views on the level of Russian and Brazilian players in football today.
He explained that every championship pits teams against determined opponents and that the key is how squads handle pressure. He noted that Barcelona and Real Madrid aren’t always the top sides, and it isn’t a given that Brazilians are simply stronger than Zenit. The defender suggested a shift in mindset: Russian players should recognize their own strength and not assume Brazilian players hold an inherent edge. Messi absent or not, the point remains, as Kolodin stated on Match TV.
Following the 17th round of the Russian Premier League, Zenit continues to lead the standings. Sergei Semak’s squad sits six points clear of second-placed Spartak, with Rostov, led by Valery Karpin, rounding out the top three. Spartak trails by one point, while Fakel sits in 13th place.
The campaign resumed in late February with Russian Cup fixtures. Zenit surged to a convincing victory over Volga Ulyanovsk, thanks to goals from Zelimkhan Bakaev, Mateo Cassierra, and Ivan Sergeev. On March 2, the team in blue-white-dark blue will learn its semi-final opponent.
Earlier reports noted that Krylya Sovetov defeated Dynamo to advance to the Russian Cup semi-finals.