Valery Novikov, once a goalkeeper for CSKA and the USSR national team, shared his outlook on the army club’s upcoming clash with Orenburg in the sixth round of the Russian Premier League. Speaking with socialbites.ca, he emphasized that even with his international background, the encounter will present a stern test for the Red-Blue squad and demanded a disciplined performance from his former club.
“Regardless of the opponent, no match is ever easy. This one will be demanding, but CSKA should push for the result they want. After dropping points to Dynamo in the previous round, the team must regroup quickly and stay focused. There is no room for complacency,” Novikov stated with conviction.
He added that the arrival of a new coach tends to spark a competitive surge within the squad. Players feel the need to prove their quality and demonstrate that they can thrive under new leadership. Consequently, the forthcoming game is likely to be fiercely contested as both sides seek momentum.
Orenburg will host CSKA on Friday, August 25, with kick-off scheduled for 17:30 Moscow time. After five rounds, Orenburg sat just one point behind the league leaders, while CSKA occupied fifth place with nine points. In the previous round, the Red-Blue faltered against Dynamo, losing 1-2 in the capital duel.
Earlier, in a separate report, Beşiktaş highlighted the notable first goal scored by the former CSKA player, underscoring the continuing attention around his career and the impact he has had since leaving the club.