Igor Diveev, a defender for CSKA, said Zenit should not be feared. His stance favors bold football and a willingness to test Zenit’s strength rather than retreating behind caution.
From early in his career, Diveev has argued that facing Zenit demands confidence. Visiting their home ground often leaves opponents pressed to the limit, with results such as 0:3 or 0:5 at times. He stresses that Zenit has a lineup packed with skilled players, and fear is not a necessary reaction. The right mindset, in his view, is to step onto the pitch with resolve and compete hard.
When asked to name favorites in the Russian Championship, Diveev pointed to Zenit and Lokomotiv, with Spartak possibly competing as well.
Last season, Diveev took part in 20 league matches, contributing two goals and an assist that highlighted his well rounded impact for CSKA.
Looking ahead, Zenit and CSKA were slated to meet for the Russian Super Cup on July 15 in Kazan. Zenit would enter as the Premier League champions and CSKA as the cup winners, a confrontation loaded with high stakes and tactical interest.
The Russian Football Championship concluded earlier in the month, with Zenit Saint Petersburg clinching the league title. The gap to the runner-up stood at a comfortable 12 points, underscoring Zenit’s dominance. CSKA finished second, while Spartak completed the top three in a closely fought campaign.
Earlier remarks suggested Spartak had initially believed they could claim silver from CSKA, a reflection of evolving narratives that come with a long season and shifting expectations. [Citation: Russian Premier League archives]