In Ulyanovsk, the Trud stadium named after Lev Yashin welcomed the quarter-final clash of the Road of Regions in the Russian Cup, with Zenit and Volga set to square off. The turf, observed by Roman Shirokov, the former international midfielder and Zenit legend, drew a cautiously positive assessment. Shirokov commented that the field was satisfactory for February conditions, noting that the ground held up well despite overnight snowfall and the typical winter chill in the region. He spoke to the Cup of Russia Telegram channel, describing the surface as normal and not bad for the time of year, hinting at surface reliability for the upcoming bout.
Zenit entered the Road of Regions knockout phase after finishing third in the group stage, earning their place in this bracket of the competition. The upcoming match against Volga represents Zenit’s first test at this stage of the tournament under coach Sergei Semak. It is a notable fixture for the squad as they aim to continue their Cup campaign beyond the group rounds. The squad faces some roster constraints: Brazilians Claudinho and Malcolm, both naturalized Russian citizens, are unavailable for this tie. The Cup’s press service confirmed that Claudinho did not travel with the team to Ulyanovsk, while Malcolm is serving a six-match suspension, joining Wilmar Barrios and Rodrigao, for a disciplinary incident involving Spartak players at the end of the group phase.
The Volga vs. Zenit game is scheduled to kick off at 14:30 Moscow time, and the officials assigned to officiate the match include referee Alexei Sukhoi. This pairing promises an intriguing clash as Zenit attempts to advance further in the Road of Regions segment of the Russian Cup, while Volga hopes to leverage home advantage and their own cup pedigree to upset the more storied visitors. Per internal Cup communications, all staff and players expect a competitive and tightly contested 90-plus minutes, with both sides ready to push for a decisive result. The stadium surface at Trud, evaluated by Shirokov, should support a fluid style of play, allowing the teams to execute passing combinations and counterattacks with reasonable confidence.
Claudinho, after obtaining Russian citizenship, has spoken publicly about his new status and the implications for his career in Russia. While his on-pitch absence will be felt, Zenit’s depth has offered opportunities for other attackers to step forward in this phase of the season. The broader context of the match includes Zenit’s aspiration to continue a successful run in domestic cups and Volga’s desire to leverage home advantage to make a statement in front of their supporters. The tactical approaches from both sides are expected to reflect a careful balance between structured build-up play and rapid transitions, with coaches likely prioritizing defensive solidity in the early stages and seeking to exploit set pieces and positional advantages as the game unfolds. This fixture, framed within the Road of Regions pathway, adds an additional layer of strategic importance for both clubs as they pursue silverware and regional prestige in the Russian Cup.