RPL Matchday 21 Instat Team of the Week

Goalkeeper: Marinato Guilherme (Lokomotiv Moscow)

Exactly half of the Russian Premier Liga goalkeepers managed to keep a clean sheet, but the most productive from the point of view of statistics was Lokomotiv Moscow’s number 1 Marinato Guilherme. He completed 91% of his passes - only Spartak Moscow’s Aleksandr Maksimenko had a higher success rate - and he kept out all five attempts on his goal.

InStat Index: 350

Left-back: Douglas Santos (Zenit Saint Petersburg)

Zenit's full-back was heavily involved in defence and in attack. Santos’s one shot was on target, while he made two key passes and 18 passes into the opponent's penalty area - more than any defender and second only to teammate Malcom overall. Only two other left-backs attempted more than half of his 99 passes, which he hit with an 87% success rate, and he won all three aerial challenges.

InStat Index: 303

Centre-back: Yaroslav Rakitsky (Zenit St. Petersburg)

Rakitskiy moved forward into midfield for the closing stages of the goalless draw against FC Ufa, which partly explains his 10 passes into the opposition penalty area. He attempted three key passes, completing two, both of which were values unbeaten by fellow centre-backs. He won 10 of his 12 challenges including all six in the air.

InStat Index: 364

Centre-back: Nikita Chernov (Krylia Sovetov Samara)

Chernov made ten interceptions and ten recoveries in his own half of the field, a combined total that was only beaten Adesoye Oyewole of FC Tambov. He was also impeccable in his challenges - the Krylia defender won all three of his duels with Rubin's forwards. Although he only attempted 25 passes, two of them were key.

InStat Index: 350

Right-back: Khoren Bayramyan (FC Rostov)

Bayramyan made more successful key passes and deliveries into the opposition penalty area than any other right-back. He was successful in all three of his attempted take-ons, and won more free kicks than any other right-back.

InStat Index: 335

Defensive midfield: Grzegorz Krychowiak (Lokomotiv Moscow)

Against Akhmat, Grzegorz Krychowiak was heavily involved in creating chances against stubborn opponents. The Polish midfielder had four shots on goal and was fouled four times, both more than any other defensive midfielder. No player in his position attempted or was successful with more dribbles. To top it off he also attempted three key passes.

InStat Index: 302

Left midfield: Kirill Zaika (Sochi Sochi)

After a lengthy injury layoff, Kirill Zaika marked only his second game back in some style. His spectacular goal was his only shot on goal, while he completed his only key pass, delivery into the penalty area and take-ons. He didn’t shirk his defensive duties either, winning all eight of his defensive challenges.

InStat Index: 379

Right midfield: Andrey Malykh (FC Orenburg)

Andrey Malykh’s assist for Djordje Despotovic sealed the 2-0 win for FC Orenburg and dragged them out of the relegation zone. Malykh was very productive in attack, making four key passes and five passes into the opposition penalty area. He also made six recoveries in Arsenal Tula’s half, which helped Orenburg to quickly deploy their attacks.

InStat Index: 362

Central attacking midfield: Ivelin Popov (FC Rostov)

The 32-year-old Rostov playmaker got on the scoresheet with a penalty after his teammate Roman Eremenko had earlier failed from spot. The Bulgarian had chances to score from the game, but he recorded only two shots on goal. Popov made 11 tackles, the most in his position, and completed all four of his take-ons.

InStat Index: 350

Forward: Djordje Despotovic (FC Orenburg)

Despotovic was the standout performer from the game between FC Orenburg and Arsenal Tula. His two goals are the obvious key factors, but he also struck five shots on goal - a figure which no other striker bettered. Despotovic was equally creative, playing two key passes and four into the penalty area. Only FC Krasnodar’s Ari made more interceptions than the FC Orenburg number nine’s four.

InStat Index: 380

Forward: Eder (Lokomotiv Moscow)

Eder calmly dispatched the only goal of the game against Akhmat Grozny. In total, the Portuguese forward had four attempts at goal and twice hit the target. Only Nikolay Komlichenko and Eldor Shomurodov attempted more take-ons than Eder, while he also completed 92% of his passes - the only striker to beat that success rate, Aleksandr Karapetyan, was only on the pitch for 18 minutes and attempted a third of Eder’s 24 passes.

InStat Index: 305