Former Russian national team forward Dmitry Bulykin spoke with socialbites.ca about the early rounds of the Russian Cup RPL Road quarter-finals, sharing his expectations for Spartak Moscow and CSKA Moscow to prevail in their opening fixtures. He explained why the two clubs, each with a storied history and a strong squad, were well positioned to triumph over their respective rivals in this stage of the competition.
The first match will see Spartak Orenburg travel to face Spartak Moscow away from home. The kickoff is scheduled for November 29 at 16:00 Moscow time. Bulykin stressed that while it is premature to declare a definitive shift in form for the red-and-white, the opinion remains that Spartak holds the edge in this matchup due to their current momentum and experience in high-stakes cups. He added that the team needs to translate their quality into consistent results to confirm a steady rhythm under their current leadership.
Commenting on the dynamics surrounding Spartak, Bulykin noted that Spartak is positioned as the favorite in the eyes of many observers. He did not shy away from acknowledging the desire within the camp to secure a cup victory, while also admitting that calling the exact moment when Spartak and coach Abascal have fully found their rhythm would be simplistic. The former striker emphasized that the path to success in a knockout competition hinges on a blend of decisive performance and strategic composure, which he believes Spartak is capable of delivering in this stage.
In the later pairing, Rostov and CSKA Moscow are set to meet on the same date, with the whistle at 18:15 Moscow time. Bulykin noted that Rostov face a difficult task as they regroup after a setback in the Russian Premier League, a defeat that weighed on the club and tested their resilience. He suggested that overcoming the Cup obstacle could provide Rostov with a psychological lift, but he also pointed out that CSKA brings a stronger technical level and a broader depth of resources, which could translate into an advantage on medium and long passes, as well as finishing in front of goal.
According to Bulykin, the army team will go into the encounter with an intention to assert their superiority and restore confidence after the recent league result. He argued that CSKA’s quality on multiple fronts—poise in possession, speed in transition, and clinical finishing—offers them a credible chance to advance past Rostov. Still, the former player warned that cup football can present surprises, and opponents at this stage often rise to the occasion when the stakes are highest. He concluded that CSKA should, in his view, be favored to win if they perform up to their potential and maintain consistency throughout the 90 minutes.
Earlier discussions around this Cup clash highlighted various factors that could complicate CSKA’s path, including recent adjustments within the squad and the tactical plans employed by the coaching staff. Those considerations remain relevant as both teams prepare for the matches that will decide progression in the competition. The evaluation from Bulykin reflects a careful balance of respect for Rostov’s capabilities and confidence in CSKA’s ability to impose their game plan when it counts. The football world will be watching as these two high-profile Moscow teams seek to advance, leveraging experience, form, and the unpredictable nature of knockout football to their advantage.