Vladimir Bystrov, a former player for Spartak and Zenit, weighed in on the tense events surrounding the clash between Spartak and Akhmat. He suggested that the red-white contingent should have taken a harsher stance toward Bernard Berisha after the incident involving team coach Guillermo Abascal. Bystrov’s remarks, attributed to Match TV, reflect a hardened view of on-field tensions that flare when leadership and discipline clash with player behavior.
In the commentary, Bystrov argued that Abascal reacted appropriately to Berisha’s conduct, and he implied that the actions available to the team should have been more severe. He drew attention to a sequence of moments within the match, noting a push by Khlusevich in one instance and suggesting that, in another, Berisha should have been challenged more physically. The idea, as presented by Bystrov, is that a strong, decisive response on the pitch can deter provocative behavior and restore control in the game. He noted that the effectiveness of such actions has, in his view, repeatedly led to the desired outcome of neutralizing disruptive episodes quickly.
The focal point of the controversy occurred when Berisha made a two-footed leap toward Abascal as the coach celebrated a goal for his team. Abascal responded by pushing the ballplayer back, and the on-field referee, Evgeniy Kukulyak, issued a yellow card to Berisha. The episode led to Abascal’s dismissal from the touchline, and Berisha was set to miss the team’s next match due to accumulating four yellow cards in the competition. This sequence intensified the scrutiny on both the player’s conduct and the coaching staff’s management of emotions on the field.
The match ultimately concluded with Akhmat Grozny securing a 2-1 victory. Hamid Agalarov and Svetoslav Kovachev found the back of the net for the visitors, while Anton Zinkovsky provided Spartak with a goal in the loss. The result added another chapter to a season defined by tight margins, physical battles, and reputational strains that can overshadow tactical considerations and strategic planning on the pitch.
Earlier in the week, Spartak had issued a statement announcing Abascal’s dismissal, labeling Berisha as a provocateur in the sequence of events that led to the on-field confrontation. The narrative surrounding the incident has sparked broader discussion among fans and analysts about how rivalries, media narratives, and club leadership intersect to shape immediate decisions and long-term reputations. While some supporters defend Berisha, others call for greater accountability, highlighting the need for consistent standards of conduct and clear thresholds for penalties during high-stakes matches. The episode serves as a reminder of how pivotal moments can reverberate beyond a single game, influencing coaching strategies, locker room dynamics, and the club’s public stance in the eyes of followers across the league and beyond.