Zenit St. Petersburg Coach Semak Reflects on Draw with Krylya Sovetov in the RPL
St. Petersburg club Zenit faced a tough 1 1 draw away to Samara Krylya Sovetov in the 22nd round of the Russian Premier League. Head coach Sergei Semak explained that a rough start set the tone for the match, with mistakes in simple plays costing a goal and opening the door for Samara to expose their strengths in quick counterattacks. The coach stressed that early lapses in attack organization and the flow of offensive actions allowed the home side to capitalize on transitions and create danger before the visitors could settle into their rhythm.
The opening minutes saw Samara take the lead as Vladislav Shitov found the net in the very first minute. Zenit found its footing as the half progressed, and Artur equalized in the 23rd minute, restoring parity for the visitors. The rest of the game featured persistent pressure from Zenit, but the scoreboard would not change again before the final whistle.
Postmatch updates were provided by the club through its press service, detailing the flow of the game and the main moments that shaped the outcome. The result left Zenit in a strong position at the top of the league standings, gathering 41 points. Krasnodar, the closest pursuer, trailed with 39 points, keeping the title race very much open after the 22nd round. Krylya Sovetov held seventh place with 30 points, reflecting a competitive campaign so far.
Looking ahead, Zenit will return to home turf for their next league fixture against Baltika Kaliningrad. The match is scheduled for April 7 with a 16 30 kickoff Moscow time. Meanwhile Wings of the Soviets are set to travel to Yekaterinburg to face Ural on April 6, with kick off at 14 00 Moscow time. The upcoming schedule promises another challenging sequence as both clubs push for higher positions in the table.
Among the broader reactions, former players emphasized the resilience and character shown by the squad, noting that experiences from tough battles in the league contribute to personal and team growth. The team continues to focus on building sharper organization in attack, tighter pressing, and improved transition defense as it seeks consistency over the remainder of the season.