Former CSKA defender Vladimir Ponomarev shared his candid assessment of how Mikhail Galaktionov has been deploying Artem Dzyuba, following the derby clash between Lokomotiv and Spartak in the 14th round of the Russian Premier League. He argues that the coaching decisions attributed to the red-green sideline have not fully leveraged Dzyuba’s strengths, particularly in the way the striker is used within the team’s tactical setup. Ponomarev’s reflections come after a match that delivered a 1-1 draw, a result that, in his view, did not fully reflect Spartak’s potential to clinch the victory in a high-stakes fixture against their traditional rivals.
According to the former defender, Spartak demonstrated greater mobility and offered more compelling attacking ideas during the derby. He noted that while their tricks and combinations sometimes misfire, the overall quality of the squad remains high, with players who possess impressive technical ability and a knack for creating dangerous moments. Ponomarev expressed the belief that Spartak is well-positioned to push into the top three by season’s end, underscoring that consistency and execution in front of goal are the missing pieces at times for the team. He also criticized Lokomotiv’s approach, suggesting that the game plan did not maximize the team’s strengths, and he specifically pointed to Dzyuba as a player whose role should be fundamentally different. Dzyuba, in his view, is a classic target man who thrives on precise deliveries and aerial battles rather than building from midfield through relentless running and pressing. The key, Ponomarev argued, would be to provide him with better ball distribution and movement from teammates who can retain possession, draw defenders, and open passing lines around him. Whether Lokomotiv has the personnel to implement such a style remained a debatable point in the post-match analysis.
The clash between Lokomotiv and Spartak concluded tied at one goal apiece, a result that left both clubs with 21 points and solidified their positions around the middle of the standings. In the aftermath, Spartak set their sights on a forthcoming home match against Rostov, while Lokomotiv prepared to host Akhmat Grozny at their venue. The outcome reinforced the notion that every fixture in this tightly contested league can swing on a handful of decisive moments, and that tactical nuance often determines which team can capitalize on those moments.
The broader takeaway from Ponomarev’s commentary centers on a recurring theme in contemporary football: the challenge of maximizing a veteran striker’s impact within a team’s evolving system. For Dzyuba, the question is less about his finishing ability and more about the surrounding framework — whether the supporting cast can consistently provide the service, space, and timing necessary to convert opportunities into goals. Ponomarev’s perspective invites a closer look at how coaches balance individual talents with collective dynamics, a balancing act that many clubs face across the league. As the season progresses, observers will be watching not only results but also how formations, substitutions, and on-field relationships develop to unlock the full potential of players like Dzyuba. The derby itself served as a microcosm of that ongoing debate, illustrating how strategic choices at the bench translate into on-field outcomes and, ultimately, into the broader narrative of the championship race.