Zenin Begins Title Defense with Dominating Victory Over Cherrtanovo
SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia – Zenin kicked off its defense of the Youth Football League (MFL) title in emphatic fashion on Friday, routing Cherrtanovo 5-1 in the opening match of the 2026 season. The victory, played at the Gazprom-Academy’s new indoor arena, signals Zenin’s intent to remain at the top of Russian youth football.
Zezin Pleased with Performance, Emphasizes Development
New Zenin senior coach Evgeny Zezin, who replaced Alexander Selenkov in the offseason, expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance. “The sensations from the match are very positive! It’s clear that the level is slightly different from the Youth Football League. Still, these are older guys here and the pace is different,” Zezin said after the match, as reported by fc-zenit.ru. “I’m very glad we won because the first matches aren’t always simple. We had preparation during training camp. But, I’m glad we looked good physically and there were good moments in the game. So, I’m satisfied.”
Zezin’s arrival marks a new chapter for the Zenin youth setup. He previously led Zenin’s junior team to a bronze medal finish in the 2025 Youth Football League, where they also boasted the league’s most potent attack with 94 goals. The transition appears seamless, judging by this opening day display.
Defenders Shine in Attack
A notable aspect of Zenin’s victory was the contribution of its defenders, who accounted for three of the five goals. When asked if this was a deliberate tactical instruction, Zezin explained, “In fact, our defenders always act actively in attack, especially the fullbacks. The central defenders usually come up for set pieces. That’s basically what happened in this game. If the forwards and midfielders can’t score, then the defenders will score. I think this will be a backdrop for our attacking players, that they demand to shake things up a bit and score. Defenders can’t always do it.”
Maxim Lavrikov opened the scoring in the 29th minute, capitalizing on an assist from Artem Medvedev. Ivan Terentiev doubled the lead early in the second half, converting a corner kick delivered by Lavrikov. This defensive firepower proved crucial in securing the dominant win.
Familiar Opponent, Slightly Different Challenge
Zenin had recently faced Cherrtanovo during a training camp in Turkey. Zezin acknowledged that the previous encounter provided some insight, but emphasized that the league match presented a different challenge. “Yes, we managed to get a little bit of information, but that game was slightly different, and the opponent’s lineup was different. The Cherrtanovo guys probably acted a little differently, but it was similar. That match during the training camp gave us some minor information,” he stated.
Focus on Performance, Not Results of Others
Several of Zenin’s competitors dropped points in the opening round of fixtures. However, Zezin insisted that his team remained focused solely on their own performance. “We heard about those results, as the opponents’ games started before ours. We are now focusing only on our game, and it is essential for us to indicate good football so that the guys develop and win. So, we didn’t appear at the opponents,” Zezin said.
This approach underscores Zezin’s commitment to player development and building a strong team culture, rather than solely fixating on results. It’s a philosophy that could serve Zenin well throughout the long MFL season.
The match also saw a red card issued to Cherrtanovo’s Marat Bolachev in the 55th minute for a foul on Nikita Ivchenko, further compounding their difficulties. While the full match details, including the names of Zenin’s other goalscorers, are still emerging, the 5-1 scoreline clearly demonstrates Zenin’s dominance. Sportbox.ru provides a link to the match protocol, though detailed statistics were not immediately available.
Zenin’s victory sets a strong precedent for the season ahead. The team will look to build on this momentum as they navigate a competitive MFL landscape. For fans of Russian youth football, this opening day performance suggests that Zenin remains a force to be reckoned with.
Next Up: Zenin will face [Opponent and Date – Not Available in Sources] in their next MFL fixture. Stay tuned to Archysport for further updates and analysis.
