Raul Riancho, once at the helm of Spartak Moscow, reflected on life in two countries, contrasting the realities of Russia with those of Spain. He pointed out that not everyone can afford to live in the Russian capital, highlighting the cost of urban living in Moscow compared with other places.
“Moscow is a beautiful city, and so are Kazan and St. Petersburg”, he noted, adding that the Spanish town of Santander feels almost paradisiacal by comparison. The sense of affordability in Spain stood out for him, making life there seem more accessible for many families and individuals.
According to Riancho, the price gap between the two countries is a significant factor for players and residents alike. He mentioned that living in Spain generally costs less than in Russia, and that not every Russian can bear the expenses required to reside in Moscow, especially if earnings are not high. These remarks came through in conversations about the practicalities of transferring and staying in one country or another, rather than purely about football.
Riancho spent part of his coaching stint with Spartak Moscow in the autumn of 2018, following the departure of Massimo Carrera. His tenure lasted six matches, after which he parted ways with the club.
As the season progressed, Spartak accumulated 36 points by the end of the seventeenth week in the Russian Premier League, placing them second in the standings, with Zenit still edging ahead in first place. Rostov held the third position, trailing by a few points.
In the Russian Cup, Spartak led the table early on, ahead of Krylya Sovetov, Zenit, and Fakel. The team planned to continue their cup campaign in the spring, with Spartak set to face Lokomotiv in the 1/8 finals. The dates for those decisive cup matches were noted as February 21 and March 1, 2023, highlighting the ongoing rhythm of the season.
In a separate reflection, a former figure skater, Tatyana Navka, contrasted life in Russia with life in the United States, adding another layer to the broader discussion about living conditions, opportunity, and culture across nations.
Source: Sports News Agency