In an international friendly clash at the PARI Premier Cup, Petersburg’s Zenith faced off against Istanbul’s Fenerbahce in a match that finished in a goalless stalemate during regular time. The outcome hinged on a dramatic penalty shootout, where Zenith prevailed 4-3, with Zelimkhan Bakaev delivering the decisive moment to seal the win for the Russian side.
The 2022/2023 Russian Premier League season crowned Zenith as champions for the fifth year running, a testament to consistent domestic dominance. Zenith accumulated 80 points, topping the standings ahead of Moscow CSKA, while Spartak Moscow completed the podium, securing a spot among the league leaders. The triumph underscored Zenith’s sustained form and depth across a demanding campaign, setting high expectations for the upcoming fixtures.
Looking ahead, Zenith is slated to kick off the new season on July 15 with a Russian Super Cup showdown against CSKA. The match is scheduled to take place in Kazan, presenting an early test against a familiar rival in a trophy-deciding environment. This fixture will offer a gauge of both teams’ preparations and early-season strength as they transition from the summer break into competitive action.
In Turkey, Fenerbahce closed the 2022/23 Turkish Championship in second place, eight points behind Galatasaray, who claimed the top spot. Beşiktaş secured third, while Adana Demirspor—an club that featured Artem Dzyuba through most of 2022—finished in fourth. The season painted a picture of a tightly contested title race and a competitive league table overall, with Fenerbahce aiming to bounce back in the forthcoming campaign.
Additionally, there has been notable discussion around strategic moves in Zenit’s squad management, including public commentary related to the recruitment and integration of players such as Mario Fernandez. These developments are part of broader efforts to strengthen the squad’s balance, experience, and versatility as the club eyes continued success in domestic and European competitions.