Football Season Guide

Ural were impressive in the second half of last season as they masterminded a strong run of form in the final couple of months and ensured another season in the top-flight, a run of nine years without a break among the elite of Russian football. Igor Shalimov was close to the sack on a couple of occasions in that campaign but is in a strong position now and will look to build on the foundations from the spring as Ural hope to find some stability after churning through managers on constant basis in the last four or five years. Once again, the Yekaterinburg side are one of the most unassuming sides in the transfer market and did bring in some fresh blood and some of the additions have the potential to establish themselves as first-teamers. Igor Konovalov, coming from Rubin, is the only new signings with real experience at this level, however, and it may take a while for the other new signings to really get settled. The one major departure is that of Polish midfielder Rafal Augustinyak but Ural do have good depth in midfield as a whole. The coach will be hoping to see some promising young players like Yuri Zhuravlev and Ivan Kuzmichev build on good breakthrough campaigns last season while wise old head Eric Bicfalvi is once again expected to carry the load up front. Ural are highly unlikely to be anywhere above lower mid-table given that there is not much of a ceiling in this squad but they will be a well-drilled and sturdy opponent and will be in decent shape to steer clear of danger.