Oleg Romantsev, a former coach of Moscow Spartak, has weighed in on the Russian Premier League title race from a fan’s perspective, making clear that he does not want Zenit St. Petersburg to win the championship. He added that his comments come from a place of friendship and respect for many people in St. Petersburg, and he hopes his stance will be understood without causing offense to those he knows in the city. The confession reflects a deep, personal loyalty to Spartak and the rivalries that shape the league, even as Romantsev acknowledges the excitement and competitiveness that define the season.
In the current Russian Championship standings, Spartak sits in fourth place with 27 points, while Zenit St. Petersburg holds the top position with 33 points. Krasnodar is close behind in second with 32 points, and Dinamo Moscow is firmly in the top three as well. The Blue-Whites have accumulated 28 points, signaling a tightly contested race at this stage of the campaign. These figures illustrate a league where momentum shifts frequently and small margins separate the teams near the summit from the rest of the table.
Looking ahead, Spartak is scheduled to clash with Akhmat Grozny in their next league encounter. The match is slated for December 3, with kickoff at 19:00 Moscow time, promising a pivotal opportunity for Spartak to climb the table and apply pressure on the leaders. The atmosphere around this fixture mirrors the broader tension of the season, where every result can recalibrate the standings and alter a club’s postseason prospects.
On the same day, Zenit will meet Lokomotiv, with kickoff set for 16:30 Moscow time. That duel represents another key test for Zenit as they seek to extend their lead or respond to any emerging challengers, reinforcing the relentless rhythm of the championship schedule and the strategic importance of head-to-head outcomes in shaping the final phase of the competition.
Historically, the club has carried a lineage that once carried the Champions League banner, a reminder of its past identity as part of Europe’s elite competitions and the enduring prestige that accompanies clubs connected to that era.