Football Season Guide

The Bulls failed to achieve another top three finish last season but after finishing in the top four for three consecutive years they are now gearing up for something big this term. Coach Kononov built the squad he wanted over that period and with all players trusting his decisions the atmosphere in the dressing room couldn’t have been better. This was reflected in the fact that none of the important players departed the squad just yet and it seems that the goal minimum this term will be a top two finish. Krasnodar are a team playing some wonderful one-touch football that usually brings them lots of goals, the preferred formation is 4-3-3. This looks certain to continue as up front Smolov, Ari and Wanderson are three excellent strikers that drive each other to achieve better things by competing for starting places. The midfield line is also very strong and if Mamaev is not tempted by a lucrative offer, he doesn’t give any indications that he is planning to leave, he will be the key man once again. With Kabore, Akhmedov, Joaozinho, Perreyra and Gazinsky top class players that can do well in several different positions the Bulls are tipped as one of the likely title-contenders this year. After being excellent during his spring loan spell Kritsyuk made his stay permanent this summer and he will be the new number one. He will have the pleasure to orchestrate an extremely solid back line in the heart of which operate the Scandinavian towers Sigurdsson and Granqvist, with Standberg their cover. The fact that both signings this summer are players that played for the Bulls last season on loan means that from the first round the chemistry will be there and Krasnodar are gearing up to achieve big things this year. The depth also looks decent at the start of the season and only a serious injury-crises can destabilise the squad.