Former Spartak player weighs in on Akhmat’s win over Spartak
Former Spartak Moscow midfielder Maxim Demenko shared his take with vprognoze.ru, saying Akhmat deserved their victory against Spartak in the Russian Premier League. He noted that the result reflected Akhmat’s solid performance and readiness, and he emphasized that the Grozny side did everything possible to please their supporters and end a lengthy run without wins against the capital club.
Demenko described the match as a fair contest, where Spartak had opportunities to swing the outcome back in their favor. Still, Akhmat’s approach was clearly aimed at delivering a positive result at home, a strategy that unfolded over the 90 minutes. The Grozny team became more assertive as the game progressed, pushing to break the deadlock and capitalize on chances when they presented themselves.
The game, played on December 3, ended with Akhmat ahead 2–1 after Spartak conceded a goal that illustrated the intensity of the clash. The red-and-white managed to slip in a reply, but Akhmat’s lead held through the final whistle. After 17 rounds in the season, Krasnodar moved ahead of Orenburg with a 2–1 victory, reshuffling the top table and tightening the fight for European spots and safety in the standings.
The standings shifted again as Lokomotiv suffered a loss, allowing Zenit to move down to second place. Krylia Sovetov climbed into the top three, while Spartak found themselves in seventh position. Akhmat’s win lifted them out of the relegation zone, elevating them to 13th place, a crucial step forward in their campaign. Baltika, by contrast, dropped to 15th, highlighting how a few results can reshape the lower end of the table in a league as competitive as the Russian Premier League.
In related commentary, a former national team mentor recently pointed to the broader context behind Spartak’s defeat, describing some elements of the loss as criminally poor in execution. The remarks underscored the perceived gaps in discipline and efficiency that opponents like Akhmat have exploited in key fixtures. The overall tone suggested that the setback against Akhmat was part of a pattern that has drawn scrutiny from analysts and fans alike, fueling ongoing discussions about performance, consistency, and strategic adjustments for Spartak going forward.
Looking ahead, both clubs will regroup as the season progresses. For Akhmat, the victory serves as proof that a disciplined game plan and a willingness to press early can yield tangible rewards against tougher opponents. For Spartak, the setback is a nudge to re-examine lineups, tactics, and match preparation, especially in away fixtures where points are precious. The Russian Premier League remains tightly contested, with every result carrying weight as the fight for European competition spots, mid-table security, and relegation avoidance continues into the latter stages of the campaign.