Former coach Igor Korneev analyzes Spartak Moscow under Guillermo Abascal
Former coach of the Russian national team, Igor Korneev, weighs in on the previous season under Moscow’s Spartak coached by Guillermo Abascal. The remarks come from coverage by Match TV, which highlights a few critical missteps and strategic misalignments observed during the campaign.
Korneev notes that the Spartak project struggled to settle into a single, consistent system. The team rotated constantly, with frequent changes in players and in tactical plans. This lack of continuity made it difficult for the squad to build a cohesive approach that could be relied upon from match to match.
There were deeper issues on the field as well. The defense, especially in the middle, presented vulnerabilities that opponents could exploit. At the same time, attack execution was inconsistent. The combination of uncertainty and imbalance affected the overall confidence of the team. Not all players appeared to have a clear understanding of their roles, and Abascal did not seem to settle on an optimal lineup, according to the evaluation from Korneev.
In the final standings of the Russian Premier League, Spartak finished the season with 54 points. Zenit Saint Petersburg led the table with 70 points, while CSKA Moscow earned 58, placing them in third. The club faced another setback in cup competition, failing to defend the Russian Cup title they won in the 2021/22 season. Abascal’s men were eliminated in the second round of the Path of Regions, losing 1-2 to Akron Togliatti.
Yegor Titov, a former Spartak captain, reflected on the season’s results, underscoring the disappointments felt by the red and white side. The season’s narrative, as covered by Match TV, centers on the need for stability, clearer tactical direction, and improved coordination across lines as the club moves forward.