Evgeny Markov, a forward whose career has seen him wearing the colors of Dynamo, Arsenal and now Fakel Voronezh, spoke about the difficult period the team endured in the autumn of 2022. He recalled a season when he found himself without a club and battled immense pressure, even from small domestic tasks that once felt routine. The autumn months were defined by relentless training, daily runs, gym sessions, and time on the tennis court, yet football alone could not fill the void left by a disrupted campaign. Progress felt slow, and the weight of the situation pressed heavily on him as he navigated uncertainty.
Markov later expressed gratitude to Rostov for offering protection during a trying three-week spell in winter. This support helped him regain some stability before Fakel stepped forward with an invitation to evaluate what kind of squad they had and what role he might play. That moment marked a turning point, shifting from ambiguity toward the possibility of a new chapter in his career, as reported by Match TV.
In the prior season, Markov had been with Arsenal Tula. In August 2022, his representative disclosed that the club had asked him to cut his salary by a third and did not include him in the squad for the 2022/23 campaign. He subsequently pursued a dispute resolution through the Russian Football Union to address the situation. The experience underscored the financial and contractual pressures players can face during periods of transition.
Markov joined Fakel in November, and during the 2022/23 season he appeared in two Russian Premier League matches and contributed an assist, reinforcing his value as a dynamic attacking option for the team despite limited playing time. This phase helped him reestablish himself within top-tier competition and demonstrated resilience on and off the pitch.
A notable voice in Russian football circles, the former 18-year-old national team prospect Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, reportedly offered guidance to Sergey Pinyaev in the broader context of mentorship and junior player development. The exchange highlighted the ongoing network of veteran players supporting younger talents within the system, illustrating how experience can influence a new generation of Russian footballers.