Former USSR national team footballer and Moscow Spartak alumnus Evgeny Lovchev shared his take on the quarter final of the Russian Cup, where Lokomotiv faced Spartak. He suggested that the temperature in Moscow during that match reached minus 13 degrees Celsius, a figure that shaped the spectator and player experience. Lovchev questioned the stadium situation during the World Cup build up, noting that St. Petersburg had at least one roofed stadium, a feature Moscow did not boast at the time. He argued that if cost was an obstacle, the city could have followed the Petersburg example and provided a covered arena for players to compete comfortably. His comments reflected broader concerns about playing conditions in Moscow when winter weather persisted for long stretches, including the idea of scheduling a January match if necessary. Lovchev emphasized the practicality of an enclosed venue and urged consideration of players and fans who endure harsh conditions for the sake of high-stakes football.
