The president of the Russian Tennis Federation and a longtime Spartak Moscow supporter, Shamil Tarpishchev, expressed sharp criticism of Spartak’s head coach Guillermo Abascal on Match TV. He painted a picture of a coach who creates instability rather than consistency and questioned Abascal’s psychological steadiness amid recent events.
Tarpishchev described Abascal as making many irrational decisions and suggested that the coach shifts plans at the last moment based on his own situation rather than the team’s circumstances. He argued that a coaching approach should stem from knowledge and a solid nervous system capable of taking reasonable risks. In his view, Spartak cannot reliably win four consecutive matches under Abascal, and he warned that further failures would continue unless there is a change in leadership and strategy.
Abascal assumed control of Spartak before the 2022/23 season and subsequently extended his contract as the campaign progressed, accompanied by a salary increase. Under his stewardship, Spartak finished third in the Russian Championship in the most recent completed season, a result that Tarpishchev appears to view as not fully reflective of the team’s potential or the coach’s decision-making process.
In the latest Russian Cup activity, on November 29, Spartak was defeated 1-0 by Orenburg in the first quarter-final match of the competition. The solitary goal came from Nikolai Titkov, while red-white defender Oleg Ryabchuk received a red card in the 40th minute, complicating Spartak’s chances in the match. The setback added to the ongoing narrative around the team’s performance under Abascal’s methods and tactical choices.
Looking ahead in the Russian Premier League, Abascal’s team sits in fourth place with 27 points after 16 rounds. The next challenge will be an away fixture against Akhmat Grozny in the 17th round, scheduled to be played on December 3 with a 19:00 Moscow time kickoff. This fixture will test the consistency of Spartak’s game plan and the coach’s ability to adapt to league opponents with varying styles.
Earlier, there was criticism directed at the system governing the Russian Championship, with some observers taking aim at organizational aspects rather than focusing solely on tactics within the squad. The debate around how the league is structured and how teams are managed continues to influence discussions about Spartak’s season and the broader competitive environment.