17.08.2021

Matchday 4 Review: Utkin’s set pieces, Zenit’s anomaly, Vlasic assists

print version

We have rounded up the key facts and figures from matchday four of the Russian Premier Liga.

Two - On-loan midfielder Daniil Utkin has had an explosive start to his time at Akhmat Grozny, scoring three goals in his first four matches alone. Perhaps even more striking has been his set pieces; hosting a Dynamo Moscow with a 100% record, he stepped up to slot another beautiful direct free kick to become the first RPL player to score direct free kicks in two consecutive RPL matches since Yaroslav Rakitsky in 2019.

Four - Ivelin Popov was in sublime form for Sochi as they swept aside Khimki at home. The Bulgarian midfielder has been involved in four goals (three goals & one assist) in his last two games in the RPL, as many as he accounted for in his previous 12 league appearances. He has scored and assisted in an RPL game for the fourth time in his career.

Five - Another 100% record tumbled was champions Zenit St. Petersburg as they traveled to the RZD Arena to take on Lokomotiv Moscow. Traditionally it has been a tough place for anyone to visit, and Zenit are no different. A frantic finish saw the sides trade penalties to leave the Railroaders unbeaten in their last five home games against Zenit (W2, D3).

6.43 - Zenit are a statistically anomalous side this season so far. On the one hand, they are unbeaten, top of the table and have scored more goals than anyone else. On the other, they are yet to keep a clean sheet, with only Ural, Arsenal, Khimki and Rostov having let in more goals. This is largely down to them allowing 6.43 xG (expected goals) so far this season, more than any other team, with Sergey Semak’s men facing 16 shots per game compared to 10 per game last season.

Seven - Sardar Azmoun may not have scored in Moscow, but he was key to breaking the deadlock for 10-man Zenit. It was the Iranian’s run clear on goal that drew an illegal touch from Guilherme and a subsequent penalty. Azmoun has now won seven penalties since the start of 2017, more than anyone except Akhmat’s Bernard Berisha (eight).

13 - Arsenal Tula put up an impressive fight away to Krasnodar as they first took the lead, and then fought back to 3-2, thanks to a double from veteran forward Evgeny Lutsenko. However, despite their best efforts, they fell to another defeat; they have now lost 13 straight away games, the longest streak in the current RPL since Lada Togliatti lost 14 on the trot in 1996.

16 - CSKA wasted no time in taking control of their game away to Rostov, with Jaka Bijol turning in a splendid header from Nikola Vlasic’s ball in. Vlasic has now provided 16 assists since his debut in 2018 - only Dzyuba (28) has more in the time. The Croatian has also created more chances (231) - at least 50 more than any other player.

20 - Rubin lost their 100% record along with Zenit and Dynamo, but maintained an unbeaten record thanks once again to their in-form goalkeeper Yuri Dyupin, who was called up to the Russian national team squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. Dyupin made another three saves, taking his tally up to 20 saves already this season, four more than any other keeper, with a 91% save rate (20/22 shots on target).

Photo: Magomed Abasov / Akhmat Grozny


Media:


Latest News:

news

25.03.2024

On Week 22 fixtures

news

23.03.2024

Zenit lose to Crvena Zvezda in Beograd

On 23 March, Zenit St. Petersburg visited Beograd, Serbia, to play friendly match against Crvena Zvezda and lost 0-1

Обратная связь

Вы можете обратиться в РФПЛ с интересующим Вас вопросом или оставить сообщение (пожелание, замечание). Также вы можете сообщить имеющиеся у вас сведения о "договорных" матчах.

Отправить

Обратная связь

Вы можете обратиться в компанию Sportradar с интересующим Вас вопросом или оставить сообщение (пожелание, замечание).

Отправить