In Saint Petersburg, Italian-Russian conductor and pianist Fabio Mastrangelo, known for his outspoken stance as a Zenit supporter, voiced a firm desire to keep sports separate from political discourse. He commented on Dynamo Kyiv’s critique of Turkish club Fenerbahçe for taking part in a friendly against Zenit, as reported by TASS. Mastrangelo suggested that culture, music, and sports should not be dragged into political disputes, arguing that those involved often lose direction and look for issues where none exist.
The pre-season clash in Saint Petersburg finished without goals in regulation time, 0-0, before Zenit edged Fenerbahçe 4-3 in a sudden-death style penalty shootout. Zelimkhan Bakaev converted the decisive spot kick to seal the win for Zenit in a match that showcased both teams’ preparedness for the upcoming campaign.
Looking back at the 2022/2023 Russian Premier League campaign, Zenit emerged as champions for the fifth year in a row, finishing with 80 points. Moscow CSKA claimed second place, while Spartak Moscow rounded out the top three, reflecting a tight battle among Russia’s biggest clubs as the season concluded.
As the new season looms, Zenit is scheduled to open the campaign on July 15 with the Russian Super Cup clash against CSKA, a game set to be staged in Kazan. The event will mark the start of a fresh chapter as the team seeks to defend its domestic crown and push for European progress.
Former commentator Vasily Utkin offered a wry reaction to the Zenit-Fenerbahçe result, joining fans in reflecting on the match’s dynamics and the broader resonance of the result as the clubs head toward their next tasks and challenges. The exchange underscored the ongoing interest in Zenit’s form and the narratives surrounding Russian football as the new season approaches, with supporters eagerly watching how the squad will balance domestic duties and continental ambitions.