The Moscow club Spartak unveiled its lineup for an upcoming friendly against the Kyrgyz squad Abdysh-Ata, with Georgiy Dzhikia set to wear the captain’s armband and lead the team onto the field. The announcement confirms a measured approach to the match, emphasizing leadership on the pitch and a clear plan for the 90 minutes ahead.
Spartak’s starting XI for the game was revealed as follows: Alexander Selikhov, Pavel Maslov, Nikita Chernov, Georgy Dzhikia, Oleg Ryabchuk, Daniil Denisov, Daniil Zorin, Mikhail Ignatov, Leon Klassen, Anton Zinkovsky, Alexander Sobolev. Each player brings a mix of experience and youth, balancing defensive solidity with attacking intent as the club prepares for competitive readiness in the early part of the season.
The kickoff is scheduled for Tuesday, February 20, at 16:00 Moscow time, a window that fits neatly within the club’s pre-season calendar and offers fans a chance to assess the squad’s cohesion and tactical alignment. Spartak has been methodically building fitness and chemistry among the squad, and this match provides a real-world test of how the lineup functions in a game situation.
Georgy Dzhikia has been with Spartak since 2017, contributing to a Russian championship and a domestic cup triumph during his time with the team. The defender, long trusted as a captain, has appeared in only six of 18 Russian Premier League fixtures this season, and his contract is set to expire in June 2024. The extended leadership role remains a point of emphasis for the club as it navigates squad renewal and succession planning.
At the close of 2023, the player’s representative confirmed interest from Lokomotiv, underscoring the ongoing market dynamics surrounding senior defenders in the league. Additionally, late in the winter transfer window, it emerged that Turkish side Trabzonspor had shown appetite for the Russian international, signaling a broader recognition of Dzhikia’s abilities beyond domestic borders.
Previously discussed topics among fans and pundits have included the potential tactical impact of such departures on Spartak’s defensive structure, and whether the club will leverage the emerging talents within its ranks to fill any gaps that may arise. Observers note that the upcoming friendly against Abdysh-Ata will be a useful barometer for evaluating how well the squad can adapt to different styles of play and how leadership on the field translates into performance. (Source: Spartak official communications)