The draw for the Russian Football Cup quarter-final ties was conducted on November 3, unveiling the matchups for both the Regional Path and the Premier League Path (RPL Path). In the Regional Path, the quarter-final pairings are Rodina versus Ural, Khimki versus Krasnodar, Volgar versus Akhmat, and SKA-Khabarovsk versus Sochi. The corresponding play-off round encounters in this pathway are scheduled for March 2024, providing clubs with a clear route and timing for the spring phase of the competition.
On the other side of the bracket, the RPL Path quarter-final pairings were confirmed as Orenburg against Spartak, Rostov versus CSKA, Baltika versus Lokomotiv, and Dynamo against Zenit. These fixtures are slated to take place toward the end of November, signaling the approach of the knockout rounds for the premier clubs competing in this route and highlighting the tournament’s crescendo as winter approaches.
It is noteworthy that the Regional Path quarter-final ties are decided by a single game, while the RPL Path ties are played over two legs. This two-legged format introduces strategic considerations and physical demands that can influence squad rotation, home advantage, and tempo as the competition advances and teams prepare for successive fixtures.
Reflecting on the previous edition of the Russian Cup, CSKA edged Krasnodar in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw in regulation time. Fedor Chalov and John Córdoba were involved in regulation and extra time, with the shootout ultimately delivering the victory. The involvement of Media League teams in the tournament marks a continuation of expansion and a rising level of competition witnessed in cup clashes over consecutive seasons, broadening the reach and significance of the competition across the federation.
CSKA currently sits second in the all-time Russian Cup standings, trailing Lokomotiv, which holds nine titles. The army club has secured eight titles, underscoring a rich history in this national knockout competition and underscoring the fierce rivalry that unfolds on the winter-to-spring stretch of Russian football.
Earlier in the competition cycle, a CSKA goalkeeper offered a memorable appraisal of Zabolotny’s goal during a Russian Cup clash, describing the strike with a vivid phrase that captured the moment’s impact and the heightened enthusiasm surrounding cup ties among fans and players alike.