Analysts including Gennadiy Orlov have noted that Krasnodar’s squad depth is lacking quality options from the bench. He told Sports Express that the club needs more reliable reserves to sustain performance across matches.
In the first round Krasnodar did not face any clear game problems, but the underlying issue was the absence of dependable rotating players. When the top performers fail to deliver, there is no obvious replacement ready to step in. The bench, as viewed by observers, is not providing the necessary cover for a long, congested schedule.
Experts suggest Krasnodar has reached a point where sustained pressing and long-term positional attacks are more challenging. To compete for the league title or even a trophy, the team needs two or three top players who can immediately influence games when the starting XI is under strain, Orlov added.
On November 26, Krasnodar suffered a surprising 1:3 defeat to Ural in the round of 16 of the Russian Premier League. Emerson, Egorychev and Kashtanov found the net for the visitors, while Cordoba scored Krasnodar’s lone goal of the match.
After 16 rounds, Krasnodar had accumulated 32 points, slipping from first to second place in the standings. Zenit strengthened its position with a decisive 3:0 victory over Sochi, while Dynamo Moscow remained firmly within the top tier of the table.
Earlier, Krasnodar’s former coach Ivich raised two questions for the refereeing decisions, signaling a mood of frustration and a demand for clearer rulings as the season progresses, and underscoring the broader discussion about squad depth and consistency under pressure.