The Russian Cup for the 2022/23 season has advanced into the group stage, with the RPL Path draw concluded and twelve sixteen top flight clubs sorted into four competitive pools. The setup is designed to create balanced batches that test depth and strategy across the early rounds, while preserving clear routes toward the knockout phase for the strongest performers.
Group A brings together Krasnodar, Lokomotiv, Pari Nizhny Novgorod, and Khimki. Krasnodar has historically been a steady force in the league, known for technical play and disciplined defense. Lokomotiv carries a reputation for resilience and a club culture that emphasizes organization and pressing. Pari Nizhny Novgorod has emerged as a rising challenger in recent campaigns, aiming to leverage youthful energy with tactical flexibility. Khimki provides a robust challenge with a mix of veteran leadership and attacking intent. Together, these four teams will vie for a top spot that promises a direct path to the playoffs, while also offering the chance for exciting clashes within the group sprints.
Group B features Zenit, Krylya Sovetov, Spartak, and Fakel. Zenit remains a dominant force in domestic competitions, often setting the tempo with expansive football and a wealth of experience. Spartak, with its storied history, seeks to reassert itself as a title contender by combining traditional strength with modern pace. Krylya Sovetov, known for their wing play and quick transitions, will push to stay in the outer rung of the group’s leaders. Fakel brings determination and a readiness to upset more established names, making every group match a potential turning point. These four squads will compete fiercely for the top two places that unlock the next stage.
Group C assembles Dynamo, Akhmat, Rostov, and Orenburg. Dynamo carries a rich legacy and an expectation to perform at a high level while adapting to evolving tactical trends. Akhmat blends physical intensity with technical capability, often finding value in pressing and compact defense. Rostov, a club with a history of surprising runs, looks to balance ambition with pragmatic game management. Orenburg, a club on the rise, aims to translate opportunity into points through cohesive teamwork and patient buildup. The group presents a blend of experience and ambition, with the top two spots opening doors to the next round and the chance to showcase emerging talents.
Group D pairs Sochi, CSKA, Ural, and Torpedo in a mix of robust defense and dynamic attacking options. CSKA, a heavyweight in Russian football, will seek to leverage wide experience and a strong squad depth. Sochi will test opponents with a blend of physical play and rapid counterattacks. Ural provides grit and disciplined structure, while Torpedo offers a mix of youthfulness and craft that can destabilize more favored sides. The dynamic in this group is likely to hinge on consistency across six matches, with two encounters against each rival determining who advances to the playoffs from the group.
Each club will play six matches within the group, facing every opponent twice, once at home and once away. The format rewards consistency, as the teams finishing first and second in each group advance directly to the playoff rounds. Meanwhile, the teams placed third will move into the regional playoff brackets, where a separate route exists to capture a later chance at progress in the competition. This structure ensures that even teams that fall off the pace early still have meaningful opportunities to compete for glory as the cup unfolds.
The first legs of the group stage are scheduled to take place from August 30 to September 1, delivering a crowded opening weekend that will set the tone for the rest of the campaign. Fans will be watching closely as squads aim to establish early rhythm, test tactical ideas, and build momentum for the decisive fixtures in the weeks ahead.
Earlier reports indicated that the winner of Football Media League 2DROTS, along with the runner-up Chertanovo, would compete in the country’s third division during the 1/256 final of the Cup. The media team secured a convincing 3-0 victory in that match, highlighting individual contributions from key players: Sergey Kutuzov found the net in the 50th minute, Adams Sklyar added another tally eight minutes later, and Alexander Stepanov sealed the result with a strike in the 81st minute. The result served as a notable moment in the cup’s broader narrative, underscoring the ambition of clubs and media outfits alike to impact the competition in meaningful ways.