Valery Gladilin, a former footballer who later steered Spartak Moscow as a coach, offered his perspective on CSKA Moscow’s recent struggles. The army club stumbled in the Russian Cup quarterfinals, losing 1-0 to Krasnodar in the second leg, and then were defeated by Sochi 2-0 in the 18th round of the Russian Premier League. These results marked a rough stretch for a club with a storied history and high expectations from its supporters across Russia and beyond.
According to the veteran analyst, the team’s issues were not born from a lack of effort. He noted that the level of play simply hasn’t reached a consistently high standard yet. He pointed to a mix of bad luck, insufficient execution in key moments, and defensive lapses as the main culprits. The assessment emphasized that the squad isn’t far removed from its rivals in quality, and it is the misfortune that has shifted away from them at crunch times rather than a fundamental deficit in talent or potential. In his view, the underlying framework remains solid, but the margins between victory and defeat have tightened and, at times, tipped unfavorably against CSKA.
Despite the setbacks, CSKA earned advancement to the next round of the Russian Cup on aggregate with a 3-0 scoreline in the earlier leg and a 0-1 result in the recent match, ensuring a meeting with Krylya Sovetov in the next stage. In the league table, the team currently sits fifth with thirty points, reflecting a season that has shown glimpses of promise alongside periods of frustrating inconsistency. The upcoming fixtures carry particular significance, as the squad is slated to face Krylya Sovetov in consecutive competitions—first within the championship slate, then again in the Cup—creating an opportunity to reset momentum and demonstrate resilience in a demanding schedule that tests depth and tactical clarity.
There is a palpable sense of narrative around the Moscow club as former players ultimately return to the dressing room determined to analyze the defeat and rally the squad. The away loss in Sochi came at a moment that underscored the need for collective focus, sharper execution, and improved cohesion across all lines. For fans and staff alike, the path forward hinges on translating training-ground concepts into consistent performances on match day, an endeavor that demands patience but also a clear, uncompromising vision for how the team can maximize its strengths while addressing any recurring vulnerabilities.