Leonid Slutsky, who previously led CSKA and Rubin Kazan, shared his candid assessment of Khimki ahead of their clash. In the 22nd round of the Russian Premier League, Khimki were defeated by CSKA with a clear 0-3 result, a scoreline that reflected a stark moment in the Moscow region club’s season.
Slutsky described the encounter as a difficult watch for fans of both teams. He noted significant gaps in Khimki’s performance throughout the match, yet he stressed that the most striking feature was the level of despair in Khimki’s play. According to his observations, CSKA were composed and efficient, while Khimki appeared overwhelmed by the moment and the pressure of a strong opponent, leaving little room for optimism from the stands or the bench.
Spartak Gogniev, who previously coached Khimki, weighed in on the tactical dynamics of the team. He claimed that Khimki did not fall behind in any particular match in terms of strategy, and that the side’s approach under his guidance differed dramatically from the period when he was at the helm. Gogniev described the contrast as striking, suggesting that Khimki’s current display had taken a turn toward something almost unsettling, while CSKA carried themselves with confidence and precision, a combination he characterized as markedly superior in those settings.
Following the 22nd round, Khimki had accumulated 13 points and found themselves occupying the penultimate position in the table, sitting 15th as the league moved forward. Looking ahead, the club was scheduled to travel to Samara to face Krylya Sovetov in the next fixture, a match slated for April 15 at 14:00 Moscow time. The calendar kept turning, with hopes of stabilizing results and climbing away from the bottom of the standings on the horizon.
Meanwhile, attention persisted around the terms of leadership for Khimki, including the salary arrangements and contract discussions for Andrey Talalaev in his role as head coach. The financial and contractual dimensions of the club’s coaching decisions continued to be a point of emphasis for fans and analysts alike as the season pressed on, shaping perceptions of what changes, if any, might alter Khimki’s trajectory in the near future.