Dmitry Selyuk, a well-known football manager, has weighed Zenit’s level of play against other teams in the Russian Premier League (RPL). His assessment, as reported by DEA News, adds another layer to the ongoing discussion about Zenit’s standing in Russian football.
Zenit has secured three wins from five fixtures this season and finds themselves sitting in fourth place in the standings. The Petersburg club has faced several roster changes, prompting questions about how these moves might affect their performance. Selyuk notes the departure of Malcolm and Daler Kuzyaev, as well as Wendel’s delayed return, could have unsettled the squad. Yet, in the latest clash against Spartak, Zenit demonstrated resilience by securing a straightforward victory, reinforcing the view that the squad remains competitive at a high level.
Selyuk raises a curious point about the decisions of head coach Abascal, wondering why Bongonda was not deployed from the start in the match against Spartak. He suggests there could be strategic reasons behind such selection choices, but the outcome nevertheless highlighted Zenit’s capacity to convert opportunities and control the flow of play throughout the game.
In Selyuk’s metaphor, it appears opposition teams are adopting deliberate tactics to slow Zenit’s ascent, but the club’s form may resemble a Rolls-Royce—capable of sustaining momentum and leaving challengers in pursuit. The metaphor underscores the belief that Zenit, when firing on all cylinders, can maintain a leading position even as rivals strive to close the gap.
The August 20 encounter between Spartak and Zenit, held in Moscow but played in St. Petersburg with a final score of 3–1 in favor of Zenit, added to the narrative. Wendel’s two goals highlighted his contribution as a key playmaker, while Mateo Cassierra provided another strike for the visitors. Alexander Sobolev also found the back of the net from the penalty spot, contributing to Zenit’s decisive win over the Reds and Whites.
Additionally, veteran observers have weighed in on the tactical side. Gennady Orlov, a long-time commentator, criticized the setup employed by Abascal in the Spartak game, suggesting that the strategist did not maximize the potential of the squad against Zenit. The commentary reflects a broader debate about how Zenit can balance personnel changes with consistent performance in a demanding schedule, especially as rivals recalibrate their approaches to challenge the reigning champions.
Overall, the current season frames Zenit as a team with substantial quality and depth, capable of navigating roster transitions while sustaining competitive results in the league. Analysts point to the combination of individual talent, some effective tactical improvisation, and the ability to capitalize on crucial moments as factors behind the club’s ongoing relevance at the top of the table. With several fixtures still to play, the question remains whether Zenit can convert the early momentum into a sustained run that elevates them closer to the top of the standings, as observers from multiple corners of the sport continue to monitor their progress. [Source: DEA News attribution]