Valery Gazzaev, who once led CSKA Moscow as head coach, notes that Krasnodar currently sits atop the Russian Premier League standings because they have conceded the fewest goals among all teams in the competition. This observation, shared with RT, highlights a defensive strength that complements their attack and helps explain their early-season dominance.
Gazzaev argues that the path to championship glory hinges not solely on scoring more goals, but on minimizing the number of own goals. In his view, Krasnodar has capitalized on this principle more effectively than most of their rivals, turning tight games into victories by limiting mistakes at the back and maintaining discipline in both transition and open play.
In the 18th round of the league, Krasnodar met CSKA in a matchup that carried significant weight in the pursuit of the title. The game concluded with a narrow 1 to 0 win for the southern club, a result that reinforced Krasnodar’s position at the top of the table. The decisive moment came when Nikita Krivtsov found the net, converting Eduard Spertsyan’s precise low corner kick by steering the ball into the near top corner of the opposition goalkeeper’s net. The finish demonstrated Krasnodar’s effectiveness in set-piece situations and their ability to convert opportunities when they arise.
Following that result, Krasnodar earned 38 points, placing them ahead of their closest challengers, including Zenit Saint Petersburg, by a margin of two points. CSKA, meanwhile, stood in seventh place with 28 points, reflecting a season of variability with notable wins against top sides but inconsistent results overall. This mid-table position for CSKA underscored the competitive depth of the league and the ongoing struggle among several teams to claim the title as the campaign progressed.
Commentators and analysts alike have taken note of Krasnodar’s approach, with observers like Vasily Utkin highlighting the team’s winning mentality in key matches against strong opponents. The emphasis on disciplined defense paired with efficient finishing has become a hallmark of Krasnodar’s strategy, shaping their status as legitimate title contenders as the season unfolds. The blending of solid backline organization with timely scoring has created a blueprint that other clubs in the league are studying, seeking to replicate in pursuit of supremacy in the competition. The overarching narrative is one of resilience and pragmatic efficiency, rather than spectacle and risk-taking alone, signaling a maturation in Krasnodar’s game plan that resonates with fans and pundits alike (RT).