Former CSKA Moscow football player Valery Masalitin discussed the recent performance by Spartak Moscow goalkeeper Alexander Selikhov during the clash with Zenit St. Petersburg. Masalitin offered a candid assessment of the moments that shaped the game, highlighting how nerves and timing can influence a goalkeeper’s decision making under pressure.
He stressed that modern football increasingly relies on keepers who are comfortable with the ball at their feet. From a young age, players should be introduced to ball handling as part of their fundamental training so they grow up confident in playing out from the back. Masalitin noted that Selikhov appears to be missing some of that early development, suggesting that consistent practice and technical refinement are essential to fill the gap. He pointed to recent high profile matches, including a domestic benchmark between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich, where a goalkeeper started possession play and the scoring responded to that risk and skill level, illustrating that playing out from the back is not merely a novelty but a strategic necessity.
According to Masalitin, the issue is not a single mistake but a combination of nerves and the mental load that comes with intense scrutiny. He argued that such pressures can be managed through deliberate training and repetition, creating muscle memory for when it matters most. The veteran suggested that when a player grows up with a robust foundation in ball skills, the stress of a crowded stadium and a rowdy crowd begins to fade. The key, he said, is to build resilience and composure so that technical decisions feel almost automatic even in tense moments. He commented that a goalkeeper’s inner state plays a decisive role in the ability to execute under pressure, and that mental fortitude can be developed through steady practice and experience.
Selikhov’s misstep came during a situation when he mistimed a response to Claudinho’s pressure and committed to a ball that bypassed his reach. The ball found the back of the net, and the opening tally shaped the flow of the match. In the wider context of the season, Zenit later edged Spartak in a 3 to 2 victory with four rounds remaining, a result that fortified Zenit’s position at the top and extended their points lead. The outcome reinforced a common theme in Russian football that resilience and composure under pressure are as vital as technical skill for gatekeeping roles. These elements, Masalitin implied, can be trained and cultivated well before they are tested in the highest-stakes moments.
From the perspective of the league table, Zenit’s triumph marked a significant milestone as the team built momentum that contributed to their championship aspirations. The victory reflected the cumulative effect of a well-rounded squad where tactical discipline, goalkeeper confidence, and the ability to execute under pressure all align. In contrast, Spartak’s path this season continues to be scrutinized as they work to balance the demands of a deep run in the campaign with the refinements needed in goalkeeping and defensive organization. Retrospectively, Masalitin emphasized that each goalkeeper carries personal pressure plus the public gaze that accompanies big matches, and how they answer that pressure often determines the long-term trajectory of their careers. He finished by reiterating that fostering a steady, skillful mindset from a young age is the most reliable way to reduce errors and strengthen performance when games are on the line.
Earlier comments from a former USSR national team goalkeeper and current Moscow CSKA coach Vyacheslav Chanov echoed a similar sentiment. Chanov weighed in on the 26th week of the Russian Premier League and offered his perspective on the Selikhov incident in the match against St. Petersburg’s Zenit. The discussion around this moment underscores a broader conversation about goalkeeper development, the balance between risk and playmaking, and the mental and technical growth required to excel at the highest level in Russian football.