Vladimir Bystrov, who wore the shirt of Spartak, the Russia national team and Zenit in his career, pointed a finger at Guillermo Abascal, the current head coach of the red-and-whites, as the principal reason for the club’s disappointing run in the latter part of the Russian Premier League season. Bystrov, reflecting on the club’s trajectory, suggested that the leadership and tactical direction chosen after Abascal’s appointment had not yielded the expected improvement, and he called for accountability directly from the coaching staff. He spoke to Match TV, laying out his assessment of the situation and underscoring the need for clear answers from the coach himself.
In the 27th round of the Russian Premier League, Spartak hosted Khimki in a draw that finished 1-1. The visitors opened the scoring in the 23rd minute when Reziuan Mirzov found the net, taking advantage of a momentary lapse in Spartak’s defensive organization. Spartak managed to respond when Alexander Sobolev, the Moscow club’s striker, converted a chance in the 56th minute, leveling the scoreboard and leaving the outcome in question until the final whistle. As the match concluded, both sides settled for a point, but the result did little to ease the pressure on Spartak’s coaching staff and squad as they chased a better finish in the league table.
After 27 rounds, Spartak sat fourth in the standings with 50 points, a position that reflected both the club’s potential and its recent inconsistency. The table was led by Zenit from Saint Petersburg, who held 65 points, followed by CSKA Moscow with 54, and Rostov with 50. Rostov at that moment prepared for their upcoming clash against Sochi, scheduled for May 14, a fixture that could influence the order of the top four as the season moved toward its conclusion. The gap between Spartak and the French-tinged finish line continued to narrow, but the gaps above remained a stark reminder of the challenge that lay ahead for the team and its coaching staff.
Former Spartak player, as well as a figure who has also worn the kits of Zenit and the Russian national team, Vladimir Bystrov commented on the competition for honors in the Russian Premier League. He offered insights into the quality of play and the level of competitiveness that characterized the championship this season. Bystrov stressed that CSKA, in his view, had a higher standard of play compared to Spartak, citing technical execution, tempo, and consistency as differentiating factors. Yet he still believed that Spartak would outrank the army club in the final league table, arguing that the red-and-whites possessed the right mix of talent, drive, and strategic adjustments that could tilt the balance as the campaign reached its climax. His perspective reflected a belief that the title race would come down to performances in the decisive games and the ability of Spartak to implement a coherent plan under pressure, rather than a simple assessment of form alone.