Football Season Guide

CSKA Moscow turned what looked like a difficult and deflating season into a very successful one by the end as they made it all the way to the Europa League quarter-finals and then even pinched a Champions League group spot under the nose of Spartak Moscow on the last day of the league campaign. It was much more than could be expected given the rather thin squad and the struggles in front of goal that troubled the Army Men for much of the season. Viktor Goncharenko was able to squeeze every bit out of his squad by the end but he is facing even more of a challenge for the campaign again as the squad looks even thinner on the ground. The notoriously financially tight club from the capital has seen major players like Sergey Ignashevich, Pontus Wernbloom and Bibras Naktho leave during the summer as they have either retired or rejected new deals. Wernbloom feels as easily the biggest loss of them all as the Swedish warrior has epitomised the spirit of this team in recent years and his remarkable flexibility proved a real weapon last season as well. CSKA's main signing so far has been wing-back Hördur Magnússon, who is expected to challenge Georgi Schennokov. Another new addition is Brazilian defender Rodrigo Becão, who is very much an unknown. It is patently clear that CSKA need lots more to compete and, given the impending departure of their star, Aleksandr Golovin, funds need to be reinvested quickly and effectively if the Army Men have any hopes of challenging at the top. Goncharenko may have proven his nous and cunningness in tactical as well as man-management terms last season, but even he will be feeling anxious ahead of the start of the season given the scarce nature of the CSKA team and their clear lack of depth. That said, in Fedor Chalov, Nikita Chernov, Timur Zhemaletdinov and Konstantin Kuchaev, who is currently sidelined, CSKA have a bright future and the manager has already shown last season that he has no fear whatsoever in trusting youngsters in big games.