In a highly anticipated clash, Zenit St. Petersburg is set to face Rostov in the second leg of the RPL Russian Cup semi-final on April 16, 2025. The match will take place at the Gazprom Arena in Saint Petersburg, kicking off at 18:00 Moscow time. Fans can catch the live broadcast starting at 17:30 on Match TV and from 17:55 on MATCH PREMIER, as well as on the websites matchtv.ru and sportbox.ru.
This showdown comes after Zenit's narrow 1:0 victory in the first leg, held in Rostov-on-Don on March 12, where Mateo Cassierra scored the decisive goal in the 79th minute. The stakes are high, as the winner of this two-legged tie will advance to the final of the RPL Path, where they will meet the victor from the other semi-final between CSKA Moscow and Dynamo Moscow. The losing team will drop to the regional semi-finals, where Lokomotiv awaits.
Zenit, who topped their group in the tournament, has shown impressive form, defeating Akhmat in the quarter-finals with scores of 3:0 and 2:1. Rostov, on the other hand, also progressed after overcoming Spartak with a 1:0 win in Moscow and a 2:1 victory at home.
Bookmakers have made Zenit the clear favorites for this encounter, with odds of 1.67 for a home win, while Rostov's chances are pegged at 5.00. A draw would see bets multiplied by 4.10. The odds indicate a strong belief in Zenit's ability to secure a place in the final, with a mere 1.08 for them to advance to the next round, compared to 7.80 for Rostov.
Vitaly Meshkov from Dmitrov will officiate the match, with Vladimir Moskalev serving as the VAR referee. The atmosphere is expected to be electric as both teams vie for a spot in the final, with Zenit looking to capitalize on their first-leg advantage.
Fans are eager to see how the match unfolds, especially with Zenit's recent performances boosting their confidence. Commentators Mikhail Krestinin and Pavel Bogdanov will provide live coverage on Match TV, ensuring viewers don't miss a moment of the action.
As the match approaches, anticipation builds not only for the outcome but also for the potential drama on the pitch. Will Zenit maintain their momentum, or will Rostov pull off an upset? The answer awaits as the clock ticks down to kick-off.
