Football Season Guide

Khimki managed to sensationally turn their season around after a dismal start last year, going on to finish easily above the drop zone and even claim a spot in the upper half of the table, something that almost no one expected from a team that seemed destined for the bottom. Igor Cherevchenko made this modest side from the outskirts of Moscow be very hard to score against, while outworking almost every opponent, and it brought stunning results. Now comes the tougher part as Khimki will not be regarded as just a pushover by opponents and there will be pressure to keep the same level of performance. It has been, somewhat surprisingly, a very busy transfer period for the Black and Reds so far as they have signed some young talent from the lower divisions to supplement the experienced players, and a couple of foreign additions in Dusan Stokanovic and Besad Sabovic, who should increase the competition for places in defence and midfield. Khimki have parted ways with the likes of Vladimir Dyadyun and Mohamed Konate, up front, however, and may need more additions up front to ensure that they can catch opponents off guard. The most impotent piece of business so far in keeping hold of Denis Glushakov, though as the experienced midfielder was a real key to the success last season and the fact that he agreed on a new deal is a bit of a surprise. Khimki are likely to be more of the same this season, putting five men across the back and relying on pace down the wings, and Cherevchecko will be confident that this recipe should be enough to secure another mid-table finish for his plucky side.