The Krasnodar midfielder Nikita Krivtsov recently shared stories from his time with the club on the YouTube channel Comment.Show, offering insight into team dynamics and the lighter moments behind the training fields.
In the interview, Krivtsov recounts a humorous episode that happened just before a high-stakes match against CSKA Moscow. The team gathered for an early morning warm‑up on the turf, and Krivtsov admits he felt highly energized, having slept well and prepared to give his best. The moment took a funny turn when Ivic, the head coach, requested the medical staff to draw Krivtsov’s blood and run a routine check for anything that might raise concerns. The medic’s report, as Krivtsov describes it, yielded nothing unusual, and the incident quickly became a small, shared joke within the squad. It’s a reminder of how close-knit a football team can be, even when nerves run high on match day and the players wear their focus on their sleeves. Krivtsov’s humor shines through as he explains the scene with a calm, almost deadpan delivery that underscores the camaraderie behind competitive sport.
Krivtsov joined Krasnodar in 2021, stepping into a squad known for its spirited locker room and tactical discipline. Before joining Krasnodar, the player had spent time with clubs such as Torpedo and Tom, experiences that enriched his approach to the game and helped him adapt quickly to the team’s style. This season in the Russian Premier League (RPL), Krivtsov has appeared in 18 matches, contributing a goal while continuing to solidify his role in the midfield. His presence on the field combines work rate, technical capability, and a sense of timing that helps Krasnodar control transitions and sustain pressure on opposing teams.
On the international stage, Krivtsov has worn the colors of the Russia national team in at least one match, where he also managed to find the back of the net. That goal stands as a milestone in his career, reflecting his ability to translate club experience into moments of national pride on the field. While the national team call-up remains a significant achievement, the broader narrative for Krivtsov continues to be his growth at Krasnodar, where each season adds new dimensions to his game and his leadership within the squad.
As the season progressed, Vladimir Ivic’s Krasnodar squad held the top spot in the standings after 18 rounds, accumulating 38 points. The pace at the top of the table has been intense, with Zenit Saint Petersburg close behind in second place on 36 points, and Dinamo Moscow following with 32 points in third. These early-season results reflect the competitive balance of the league and Krasnodar’s ability to sustain performance across multiple fixtures. The table still holds a sense of unpredictability, with title hopefuls and challengers jostling for position as the schedule continues to unfold.
Beyond the numbers, the season’s narrative includes the daily routines and the human moments that shape a club’s identity. Krivtsov’s anecdote about the pre-match blood test, while light-hearted, hints at the underlying seriousness with which players approach preparation. It also underscores the trust between players and staff, a bond that often determines how a team handles pressure, navigates setbacks, and celebrates success. The dynamics within Krasnodar, the coaching philosophy of Ivic, and the emerging contributions of Krivtsov together form a storyline that fans follow closely, even when conversations drift to lighter memories from the locker room.
With the season continuing and more rounds ahead, supporters can expect Krivtsov to remain a central figure in Krasnodar’s plans. His blend of energy, tactical awareness, and willingness to step into various midfield roles provides flexibility for the coach to craft dynamic lineups. As the club aims to translate league lead into sustained results, the relationship between the players, the coaching staff, and the club’s leadership will be tested and refined through upcoming fixtures and competitive challenges. The journey of Krivtsov and Krasnodar in this campaign continues to unfold, offering both on-pitch achievements and moments of candid, human humor that celebrate the sport’s unique camaraderie.
What lies ahead for the RPL season remains a point of interest. While discussions about schedule resumption and the rhythm of matches circulate among pundits and fans, Krasnodar’s form and Ivic’s strategies will continue to influence the race for the title and the battle for European qualification. The season’s trajectory will depend on consistency, player health, and the ability of the squad to preserve momentum while navigating the demanding calendar. The next chapters promise to reveal more about Krivtsov’s development as a player and the team’s evolving dynamic under Ivic’s leadership, as both strive to keep Krasnodar at the forefront of Russian football.