What are you talking about? You can clearly see the passion burning in Akuma's eyes and in their teeth to a certain extent. I guess you're right, you just don't see it. In that cover art, imagine that Akuma thinks of Ryu as someone insignificant and thus looks down at Ryu similar to how Sagat looked down at Ryu during their encounter. Ryu doesn't like it and is all pissed as evident from that huge fist he's holding up to Akuma's face. :lol: From that, you can tell something is bound to happen.
Akuma: (You dare ME?!)
Ryu: I will revenge my master's death.
Akuma: (You will follow him.)
Akuma stares down at Ryu!
Ryu shakes a [huge] fist!
As for Sakura in the middle, I think they just put her there because she's a new character to the series. She's really not that important in that cover. 😛