Dmitry Bulykin, a well-known figure in Russian football who used to play as a striker for the national team and later moved into a political role as a deputy in the State Duma, remarked that clubs competing in the Premier League are typically regarded as the favorites when it comes to the play-offs. He believes that Premier League sides have the edge in both overall strength and technical prowess, a perception that consistently colors expectations for the upcoming season in the Russian Premier League (RPL).
“Undoubtedly, the Premier League clubs are always viewed as the strongest contenders, not only because of their depth but also due to the pace and precision they bring to the field. In my view, Fakel Voronezh and PFC Pari NN should maintain their status in the top tier, though football is full of surprises. It will be fascinating to observe how the Premier League clubs respond once the decisive matches begin. Everyone recognizes the high stakes in these crucial games, and any slip could shatter ambitions for the entire campaign. So teams tend to play with heightened caution at first. Yet when an opportunity emerges, the intensity rises, and real football comes to the fore. Nobody wants to fall short—teams push forward, and the chances that decide the season can arrive in a heartbeat,” Bulykin explained in a conversation with a correspondent from socialbites.ca.
In recent matchups, Fakel Voronezh claimed a 1-0 victory over Yenisei in Krasnoyarsk, during the first leg of a two-game tie. Pari NN, another RPL participant, is presently competing against Rodina, a club sitting in fifth place in the Moscow region in the First League. These results set the stage for a longer, tense playoff narrative as teams in the top flight vie for positioning and momentum heading into the key phase of the season.
Earlier remarks from Bulykin touched on how personal life events, such as weddings, can ripple through a team’s dynamics and influence performances of players like Dynamo striker Smolov. The broader point highlighted is that personal distractions can intersect with professional responsibilities, underscoring the importance of managing focus, preparation, and mental readiness in high-stakes football environments. In Bulykin’s view, maintaining balance off the pitch is as critical as tactics on it, especially when the calendar is crowded with important fixtures and the pressure to secure points remains relentless. This perspective resonates across many clubs where the margin for error is slim and the finish line in sight is always accompanied by intense scrutiny from fans and analysts alike. (Citation: Bulykin interview summaries, public commentary compiled by sports outlets and correspondent reports.)