Oleg Romantsev, once the head coach of Spartak, spoke about the club’s ongoing relationship with Zenit St. Petersburg. He shared his expectations ahead of the 26th round of the Russian Premier League, noting that Spartak would travel to face Zenit in Saint Petersburg. His remarks appeared on a platform associated with Championship.com, adding a voice from the club’s storied past to the current season’s discussions.
Romantsev suggested that a meeting between Spartak and Zenit could carry a certain appeal for a broad audience in Saint Petersburg. He clarified that his stance was not adversarial toward Zenit; in fact, he stressed cordial relations with Serezha Semak, Zenit’s manager. He expressed a desire for the rivalry within the RPL to remain engaging for fans, with ongoing intrigue surrounding the title race and the competitive dynamics between the top teams.
As the season moves toward its conclusion, Spartak sits in third place in the league standings. Under Guillermo Abascal, the squad has accumulated 49 points. Zenit Saint Petersburg leads the table with 61 points, followed by Rostov on 50, while CSKA sits in fourth with 48 points. These positions set the stage for a pivotal clash in the 26th round.
The upcoming fixture has Spartak visiting Zenit on May 7, with kickoff scheduled for 18:00 Moscow time. The away matchup represents a significant test for Spartak and a key moment in the fight for higher league positioning and potential European qualification considerations for the following season.
Earlier discussions around the 26th round included comments from former Spartak executive Andrey Chervichenko. He highlighted the challenges Spartak would likely encounter when facing Zenit in Saint Petersburg, noting that the red-and-white could face difficulties given the strength and current form of their opponents. This context underscores how the title race and the broader competition structure contribute to the atmosphere surrounding the match and its implications for the rest of the campaign.