Former Zenit forward Konstantin Lepekhin offered praise for the club’s foreign players after the Russian Super Cup clash with CSKA Moscow, noting that their true strength hadn’t been fully shown. He recalled that the national team of foreigners had not produced their best performance during the match and suggested that many of them were unlikely to stay with the club for long. The assessment reflected a sense of unfulfilled potential left on the field, a subtle reminder that the roster changes might alter the team’s core composition in the near future, as reported by Euro-Football.Ru.
Zenit appeared to compete with a lighter lineup, a version of the squad that seemed to be experimenting with combinations rather than presenting its strongest possible side. There was a shared impression among observers that the foreign players who had previously delivered results were not playing at maximum intensity in this fixture. The overall sentiment was that several of them might not remain with Zenit beyond the season, which left spectators contemplating the implications for the club’s long-term strategy and squad planning. This perspective resonated with fans who have watched the team navigate a dynamic transfer market and evolving tactical maps.
Regular time finished in a 0-0 deadlock, and the ensuing penalty shootout tipped in Zenit’s favor at 5-4. The decisive spot kick was converted by Robert Renan, sealing the victory. The shootout drama underscored Zenit’s ability to perform under pressure, even when the field had seemed evenly balanced during regulation time. The result added another trophy to Zenit’s cabinet, reinforcing the club’s status as a consistently competitive force in Russian football during this period of transition and renewal.
Zenit has captured the Russian Cup eight times in its history, a testament to the club’s lasting tradition of success in domestic cup competitions. The victory in this edition marked the fourth consecutive triumph in the tournament, highlighting a period of sustained knockout-stage excellence for the team and its supporting squad. The cup runs alongside the team’s broader ambitions to combine cup glory with league competitiveness, creating a holistic narrative of consistency and ambition within Saint Petersburg football culture.
In the 2022/23 season, Zenit also clinched the Russian Premier League title, securing the championship under the guidance of coach Sergei Semak. The victory was achieved with a comfortable margin, as the club clinched the title ahead of schedule in the 26th round. Finishing the campaign with 70 points from 30 rounds, Zenit cemented its status as the dominant force in the league that year, showcasing a blend of disciplined defense, effective attack, and strategic leadership that sustained a multi-season run of success for the club.
Former Zenit coach has referred to the CSKA match as a disaster for the team’s left-field game, underscoring that the encounter exposed vulnerabilities in the squad’s approach to the game. This candid assessment reflects the intricate balance coaches must strike between assembling a roster capable of delivering decisive performances and managing the realities of competitive pressure. The remark signals ongoing evaluation within the club as it prepares for upcoming fixtures and potential tactical refinements aimed at translating talent into consistent, trophy-winning outcomes.