Pisarev: Dynamo Remains a Strong Contender for the Championship Title

The head coach of the Russian national team, **[Nikolai Pisarev](https://example.com/tags/4518-nikolaj-pisarev/)**, expressed that Dynamo remains a top contender for the championship following their draw against Baltika (1:1) in the opening round of the RPL.

“I was not surprised by Baltika’s performance. They played their friendly matches at full intensity, including against Zenit. Karpin’s Dynamo serves as an ideal challenge. This is their first RPL match after the return, taking place in Moscow. Naturally, the team will be fully prepared. They showcased such football due to their discipline, aggression, and commitment. Dynamo and Karpin will face pressure in every round. It’s also important to note that they were missing Tyukavin, Maistorovich, Chavez, and Carrascal. Karpin’s expectations differ from Lichka’s, and it will take some time for the team to adjust to the new coach. Dynamo continues to be one of the favorites in the championship race in the RPL,” Pisarev’s statements were reported by Metaratings.

Last season, the Russian Premier League was won by Krasnodar, with Zenit from Saint Petersburg taking second place, and CSKA finishing third. Dynamo ended up in fifth place. Orenburg and Fakel were relegated directly to the Pari First League; however, Orenburg later replaced Torpedo in the RPL. The new season of the top Russian division is set to begin on July 18, 2025, and will conclude on May 17, 2026.