Former Dinamo Moscow striker Dmitry Bulykin spoke about the current state of Russian football, highlighting concrete areas where improvement is needed. He shared these views with RB Sports, emphasizing that not only the style of play but the conditions surrounding the game deserve attention to help the sport grow in the country.
According to Bulykin, the quality of playing surfaces and the standard of officiating should rise to meet professional expectations. He argued that athletes should be compensated in a way that aligns with true performance and results, noting that in difficult times the sport has seen salaries that do not always reflect on field contributions. His perspective centers on linking fair compensation to real outcomes on the pitch, rather than allowing high earnings to drift away from performance standards.
At the halfway point of the Russian Premier League season, Krasnodar holds the top position with 38 points, while St. Petersburg’s Zenit sits in second place with 36. In a tight race, Dynamo Moscow is currently third with 32, Lokomotiv Moscow occupies fourth on 31, and Spartak Moscow trails in fifth with 30 points. These standings illustrate a competitive table where multiple clubs remain in contention as the campaign progresses toward the spring resumption.
The league has entered a winter break and is slated to resume play in March. The 19th round will kick off the second phase, with teams returning to action after a period of rest and preparation. One notable upcoming fixture features Spartak Moscow embarking on a trip to face Zenit in St. Petersburg, a match that could prove pivotal for positioning and momentum in the closing stages of the season.
In related news, Romantsev recently identified the best foreign player in the Russian Premier League, underscoring ongoing discussions about talent mobility and recognition within the league. Such recognitions contribute to a broader narrative about the era and the level of competition present in Russian football today.