InStat RPL Team of Matchday 26

According to InStat data, here is the Russian Premier Liga’s best XI from matchday 26.

Goalkeeper: Andrey Lunev (Zenit St. Petersburg)
InStat Index: 331

Lunev’s penalty-saving heroics stood out in his performance as he saved Wanderson’s spot kick and the rebound. He kept out more shots (9) than any other keeper, while also completing 93% of his passes.

Right-back: Sergey Petrov (FC Krasnodar)
InStat Index: 315

Although his side conceded four goals, Petrov was active in attack with more regained possessions in the opposition half and an assist for Daniil Utkin. He completed more passes and with the second highest success rate than any other right-back. 

Centre-back: Aleksey Gritsaenko (FC Tambov)
InStat Index: 336

Gritsaenko’s goal helped FC Tambov to an unlikely win away to Spartak Moscow, but it wasn’t the only contribution he made. Only three of his passes didn’t find their targets, and he made a position-high nine successful defensive challenges.

Centre-back: Vitaliy Lystsov (Krylia Sovetov Samara)
InStat Index: 325

Lystsov helped Krylia keep a crucial clean sheet at home to FC Rostov at the weekend. He managed a shot on target, completed both attempted take-ons, and won all but one of his 11 challenges. 

Left-back: Brian Idowu (Lokomotiv Moscow)
InStat Index: 288

Idowu not only helped Lokomotiv Moscow to a clean sheet, he also registered the highest pass success rate in his position (93%) and completed all three attempted passes into the penalty area. No other left-back regained possession more often than he did (11 times).

Defensive midfield: Daniil Fomin (FC Ufa)
InStat Index: 355

Fomin was the most active defensive midfielder in attack this matchday with the joint-most passes into the opposition area, the joint-most shots on goal and the most key passes. He also had the best success rate for challenges for those that started matches.

Right midfield: Konstantin Kuchaev (CSKA Moscow)
InStat Index: 340

No right midfielder had more shots on target than Kuchaev, but perhaps his biggest contributions were more workmanlike. He dispossessed opponents four times, more than all his positional peers, and won more challenges than them too.

Left midfield: Wanderson (FC Krasnodar)
InStat Index: 334

Unfortunately the key moment for Wanderson was arguably his penalty miss before half time, but he did attempt the second-most shots on goal while also attempting - and completing - more passes into the penalty area than other left midfielders.

Attacking midfield: Daniil Utkin (FC Krasnodar)
InStat Index: 376

His two goals set him apart from his fellow attacking midfielders, even it wasn’t enough to beat Zenit. Four of his six shots were on target - both the highest in his position - while he also completed all three of his take-ons.

Striker: Sardar Azmoun (Zenit St. Petersburg)
InStat Index: 416

Azmoun increased his goal tally to 13 with his double against FC Krasnodar, scoring with both shots on target, while only misplacing two of his 16 attempted passes. Only Eric Bicfalvi regained more possession and interceptions than Azmoun.

Striker: Artem Dzyuba (Zenit St. Petersburg)
InStat Index: 367

The RPL’s top scorer and assist maker increased his tallies in both areas while also completing all three of his key passes. Once again his workrate came to the fore as he won a position-high 10 attacking challenges, while attempting more overall challenges than any other striker.