Former Manchester United star Andrei Kanchelskis, speaking on RB Sports, weighed in on the ongoing friction between Spartak Moscow’s head coach Guillermo Abascal and center-forward Alexander Sobolev. The veteran analyst underscored Sobolev’s physical gifts and versatility for a striker, noting that the player appears capable of excelling in multiple facets of the game. Yet he pointed to a troubling inconsistency: this season has yielded no goals from Sobolev, a gap that the pundit attributed largely to an unprofessional approach to work and daily preparation. The critique wasn’t just about isolated moments on the field; it reflected a pattern of disciplinary decisions that have repeatedly sparked conversations about Sobolev’s conduct. In Kanchelskis’s view, if Sobolev can settle his mindset and commit to a steadier, more disciplined routine, the goals should follow in abundance. This is not a call for talent alone, but for a sustained professional ethic that matches Sobolev’s evident potential, according to RB Sports.
On the disciplinary front, reports surfaced that Sobolev was suspended from Spartak’s training sessions after an incident tied to disciplinary violations. The suspension came after Sobolev missed a team breakfast, an omission that aggravated concerns about the striker’s consistency and reliability. This development added fuel to a broader narrative about how Sobolev balances intensity, focus, and accountability within the squad, as observed by pundits from RB Sports.
Statistically, Sobolev has appeared in nine Russian Premier League matches this season, contributing two goals and three assists. His impact for the national team in October was modest but notable, as he scored in one of the two appearances during the month. For Spartak, these figures sit alongside a larger conversation about the team’s trajectory in the league and the role Sobolev is expected to play as the campaign moves forward.
After eleven rounds of the national championship, Spartak sits in the middle of the table with eighteen points, placing them eighth in the standings. The team’s forthcoming match is scheduled against Paris Nizhny Novgorod, a fixture that could serve as a barometer for Sobolev’s form and the squad’s cohesion under Abascal’s leadership. Observers have noted that public scrutiny around the coach’s authority and Sobolev’s discipline has shaped the public perception of this partnership, with supporters watching closely how the dynamic unfolds on and off the pitch.
In another aspect of the discussion, Abascal’s authority has been a recurring theme in commentary about Spartak’s season. Critics suggest that the coach’s leadership style is under evaluation as the team seeks consistency and results. The ongoing dialogue around discipline, approach, and effective communication within the squad continues to influence how Sobolev and the rest of the lineup are viewed by analysts and fans alike.