Russian Championship. Youth League. Division A
The Russian Youth Championship Division A is a top-tier competition for under-19 teams from RPL clubs, serving as a crucial breeding ground for future stars. It provides young talents with professional-level exposure, honing their skills under expert coaching while bridging the gap to senior football.
History and foundation
Launched in 2008 amid youth football reforms, it replaced regional setups. Early dominance by Spartak and CSKA gave way to Krasnodar and Zenit. The 2019/20 season was halted by COVID, with Zenit clinching via tiebreakers. Fun fact: Alexander Golovin (Monaco), Fedor Chalov (CSKA), and Artem Dzyuba kicked off here. Expanded to 16 teams in 2022 for fiercer rivalry.
Tournament format
A double round-robin with 16 teams yields 30 matches each, awarding 3 points for wins, 1 for draws. Top finisher is champion; prize-winners enter the Youth Cup. Rule limits: max 3 over-19 players per squad, ensuring youth focus. Fixtures align with RPL schedules on academy pitches.
Interesting facts
Average goals per game hover at 3.2, showcasing attacking flair. Top scorers include Egor Burkov (Krasnodar, 28 in 2021/22) and Shamil Gazizov (Zenit, 25 in 2018/19). Standouts like Norman Musaes (Rubin), Aleksei Miranchuk (Atalanta), and Vladislav Saramutdinov (Spartak) emerged here. Current prospects from Lokomotiv wingers and Dynamo strikers draw European scouts, fueling U-19 and U-21 national teams.