Krasnodar’s head coach, Vladimir Ivich, the Serbian tactician who has spent over a year in Russia, recently highlighted the noticeable cleanliness of Russian cities. His reflections, shared with Championship.com, offer a rare glimpse into life off the pitch and its impact on the footballing culture in Krasnodar and beyond.
“The atmosphere here is remarkable. It’s more than football; it’s a way of life. This is a standard that stands out across European football. In many European cities, one often notices differences, but in Russian cities, cleanliness is striking and consistent. I commend the residents for maintaining such a high level of order and pride. Traffic, too, presents a challenge—yet it is part of the rhythm of a growing city. People are moving here in large numbers, and that influx is changing the city’s dynamics,” Ivich observed.
Ivich assumed the Krasnodar helm in January 2023, signing a two-year contract with the club. Since his arrival, the team has pursued stability and progression, aiming to translate competitive performances into sustained success in the league and domestic cups.
Krasnodar has demonstrated strong form in the Russian Premier League (RPL) during the season, sitting near the top of the table as the winter break began. After 18 rounds, the squad was leading the standings with a solid points tally. In a pivotal 18th round, Krasnodar secured a 1-0 victory over CSKA, signaling the team’s intent to compete for the prize. Zenit Saint Petersburg trailed closely, while Dinamo Moscow remained within striking distance in third place. Sochi found themselves near the bottom of the table after a stretch of challenging results, with Kaliningrad’s Baltika also close to the relegation zone. This mix-set illustrates the league’s competitiveness and the path Krasnodar seeks to carve through the rest of the campaign.
The season’s momentum continued into the winter, with Russian Cup fixtures expected to resume in February. The league schedule also indicated a return to action in March as the 19th week of the RPL approached, keeping clubs focused on a demanding calendar that tests depth, consistency, and tactical adaptability.
Looking back, there have been credible assessments about which clubs might emerge as title contenders. Notably, a former figure in Russian football, Oleg Romantsev, has previously given his views on the Raptors of Krasnodar in the race for the top of the table, underscoring the ongoing debate around the season’s trajectory. The narrative around the championship remains dynamic, with teams evolving as new fixtures unfold and players adjust to the rhythm of the league.