The president of the Russian Football Union (RFU) acting as an honorary figure, Vyacheslav Koloskov, indicated that there has not yet been a standout club or player emerging in the early phase of the current Russian Premier League season. He noted that chances to break through have been limited and that the field has not produced a clear rising star in the opening games, with familiar names like Pinyaev and Tyukavin not yet delivering the expected impact.
Koloskov expressed a belief that greater performances are expected from the country’s bigger clubs, including Dynamo Moscow, Spartak Moscow, Lokomotiv Moscow, and CSKA Moscow. He suggested that these teams possess the talent pool and potential to lift the league’s competitive level as the season progresses, pointing to a need for more consistent results and sharper execution from high-profile squads.
As the standings stand, Krasnodar leads the table with 28 points, followed by Zenit Saint Petersburg on 26 points. Samara’s Krylya Sovetov sits third with 22 points, while Dinamo Moscow occupies fourth place with 21 points. Lokomotiv Moscow sits in the mid-table at eighth, with 20 points, highlighting the uneven competition and the tightening gap among many teams as the campaign advances.
The landscape of Russian football has been altered since spring 2022, when FIFA and UEFA suspended participation of the Russian national team and all Russian clubs in competitions governed by those organizations. Since that decision, Russian clubs and the national team have competed only in matches that are not part of these governing bodies’ competitive calendars, commonly referred to as friendly fixtures. This shift has influenced scheduling, competitive opportunities, and player development pathways across the domestic league and beyond.
In historical context, there had been remarks about the composition of the RPL clubs during this period. It was noted that Zenit’s squad was not exempt from scrutiny regarding its lineup quality, suggesting ongoing assessments of squad depth and strategic planning as teams navigate a season of adjustments and reinforcements. The league has continued to operate under the new realities, with clubs adapting to evolving competitive conditions while aiming to maximize performance on the pitch.