Surprise champions, new stadiums and a forthcoming World Cup suggest the Russian game is in rude health, but in many ways it is still struggling.
Russia
Fans who remember the early days of the Champions League will see a familiar name return this autumn: Spartak Moscow are the Russian Premier League champions for the first time since 2001.
Despite many false dawns, Spartak’s title win was unexpected. CSKA Moscow started the season confident of defending their 2015-16 championship under their successful manager Leonid Slutsky; Zenit Saint-Petersburg were optimistic about a new era under Mircea Lucescu, who won eight Ukrainian titles and the UEFA Cup with Shakhtar Donetsk.
Spartak, by contrast, parted company with coach Dmitri Alenichev at the start of August following an early Europa League exit. His assistant Massimo Carrera took over, quickly adapted to the league and built a unified team – a first for a foreign coach at the club. By the winter break Spartak were top and had already built up a good lead over Zenit and CSKA.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة August 2017 من When Saturday Comes.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة August 2017 من When Saturday Comes.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Pirate Transmission
Broadcasters around the world are paying huge sums to screen football, but they will not be willing to invest if they cannot be protected.
Scandi Drama
Years before it was screened live in the UK, England’s Football League was building a cult following abroad thanks to a visionary broadcaster.
Pot Of Gold
A rare meeting between two local rivals brought FA Cup fever – and a useful financial boost – to one corner of Hertfordshire
Digital Divide
From earnest post-match punditry to being used in actual players’ matchday preparations, the virtual game is becoming increasingly blurred with reality.
Haringey Ladder
The decision to walk off in the face of abuse has shone a national spotlight on a community club with a progressive approach
Bournemouth 0 Norwich City 0
Dean Court may have received a Premier League facelift but against today’s visitors the home team fail to live up to their status, although the low-quality draw they play out is still somehow reassuring.
Room With A View
Hampden Park
Not In The Script
ARSENAL FILM
Out Of Place...
After another unsuccessful qualifying attempt Martin O’Neill is under pressure, while a poor Republic of Ireland squad is only getting weaker
Uncomfortable Truth
At the end of April Sheffield United surprised many people by re-signing Ched Evans, who, following a retrial, has now been found not guilty of the rape charge for which he spent two-and-a-half years in prison.
