In a Russian Premier League clash between Spartak Moscow and Fakel Voronezh during the 19th round, Alexander Sobolev spoke about a tense moment in the dressing room that followed the game. The head coach of Spartak, Guillermo Abascal, was described by Sobolev as having sparked a strong emotional reaction in the team’s locker room after the match. Sobolev noted that emotions run high in football, and that the locker room atmosphere can become heated as players process the game’s events. He recalled how the coach moved into the locker room after the break and stirred up strong feelings among those present, explaining that such outbursts are part of the energy that can accompany professional sports teams.”
“Emotions can erupt at any moment. Sometimes you see him like that. It happens. After the break, he went to the locker room and caused a stir. But these are emotions,” Sobolev reflected. “Everyone can react strongly, especially inside the dressing room.”
Following the match, Abascal attempted to enter the field to discuss the referee’s decision with Vladislav Bezborodov, who had disallowed Sobolev’s goal in the 41st minute. Spartak players stopped him from reaching the official. Later, the coach explained that his actions were driven by emotion, and he spoke about the situation through that emotional lens, offering his perspective on the moment that unsettled the squad and its supporters.
It is also noted that in the 18th round of the same league, Sobolev’s goal in a match against Ural Yekaterinburg was disallowed by the match officials, a decision that fed into the broader discussion about officiating and its impact on team morale and rhythm. The game between Spartak Moscow and Fakel Voronezh finished with a 3-2 victory for Spartak, lifting the side to 40 points and sustaining their position in second place on the league table. The result kept Spartak in the hunt for the championship and underscored the ongoing intensity of battles within the top tier of Russian football.
In related commentary, former Spartak Moscow midfielder and USSR national team member Yuri Gavrilov spoke about refereeing in the Russian Premier League in a discussion with a media outlet, offering thoughts on the broader context of officiating and its influence on team dynamics and the pace of matches in the league. The conversation highlighted how refereeing decisions are scrutinized by clubs, players, and fans alike, and how those decisions can shape the mood inside dressing rooms after games and influence future performances.