A former goalkeeper jokes about the 100th anniversary. The key figures of the 29th matchday for Zenit are two former players and one who almost was.
Andrey Lunyov made a stunning save in the closing stages, preventing Juan Boselli from putting Krasnodar ahead—the goalkeeper left Zenit in 2021. Ivan Sergeyev scored the winning goal for Dynamo, leaving Krasnodar with zero points—the forward left Zenit in 2024. Alexander Yerokhin secured a victory for Zenit themselves against Sochi with a goal in the 84th minute, just a day before it seemed the midfielder would leave the club after this season.
Zenit has struggled with their heroes all season long: few players were truly consistent, bright spells were often followed by slumps, and Sergei Semak tried many different approaches. And now, help has come from those who were hardly expected to provide it.
When asked about this symbolism—the assistance from former players—in a flash interview on Match TV, Lunyov responded: “Maybe the centenary won’t be postponed this time. Just joking, of course.”
Naturally, the theme of Zenit’s 100th anniversary has accompanied the team all season, following the club’s maneuver after losing the 2025 title. They switched the plan from a golden trophy for the exact birthday to aiming for a championship in the 100th season. There’s no doubt this topic is on many people’s minds in Russian football. Remember, for example, how Vadim Yevseyev motivated Makhachkala’s Dynamo by mentioning the delay of Zenit’s centenary?
Andrey Lunyov immediately recalled this, even though he was asked about different symbolism. Still, he single-handedly pushed Zenit closer to the title, which will have a huge impact on the effect of the postponed centenary.
After this win—courtesy of Lunyov, Sergeyev (and Yerokhin’s decisive goal)—Zenit only needs to avoid defeat against Rostov in the final matchday to secure the gold. This is the moment that snatched the top spot from Krasnodar. How did Boselli squander that chance?
Photo: RIA Novosti / Alexander Vilf
Ivan Sergeyev, Dynamo Moscow, Andrey Lunyov, Alexander Yerokhin, Krasnodar, Zenit, Russian Premier League.