Petersburg’s Zenit goalkeeper Mikhail Kerzhakov spoke about what lies ahead for his team in the Russian Super Cup clash against CSKA Moscow, emphasizing that CSKA is their principal adversary. The message came as part of a statement released by the club’s press office.
Kerzhakov noted that the most formidable opponent for Zenit at the moment is CSKA. He recalled that games against the army club have rarely been straightforward, whether the team was playing at home in Saint Petersburg or on the road. The keeper forecast a tightly contested match, predicting tension from the opening whistle to the final whistle.
As Zenit prepares for the new Russian Premier League season, which starts on July 21, the club will take on CSKA Moscow in Kazan for the country’s Super Cup. The kickoff is scheduled for 17:00 Moscow time on July 15. Zenit secured the league title in the 2022/23 season, while CSKA earned the Russian Cup in the same period, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown between the two long-standing rivals.
In addition to the Super Cup, an off-season tournament is planned in Saint Petersburg from July 1 to July 15. The event will feature Zenit alongside notable foreign clubs such as Red Star Belgrade, Neftchi Baku, and Fenerbahçe, providing Zenit with valuable warm-up opportunities and international competition ahead of the domestic season.
Earlier, Dmitry Bulykin shared his own expectations for the Russian Super Cup, contributing to the broader dialogue surrounding the upcoming clash and the implications it may have for both Zenit and CSKA as they approach the new campaign.