The discussion centers on Spartak Moscow striker Alexander Sobolev and whether head coach Guillermo Abascal might bench him. The topic arose after a YouTube channel dedicated to football commentary aired by a former Ufa coach, Alexey Stukalov. He weighed in on the possibility that Sobolev could find himself on the substitutes’ bench as a result of Abascal’s decisions.
Stukalov suggested that keeping Sobolev on the bench would resemble a strategic move that could be seen as a challenge to Russian players. He expressed his own view that Sobolev should continue to play, noting his positive performances at a recent tournament in the United Arab Emirates. He made it clear that this stance reflects his personal opinion rather than a definitive prediction of team strategy.
Alexander Sobolev has been part of Spartak since 2020 after transferring from Krylia Sovetov. In the current season, he has appeared in 15 Russian Premier League matches, contributing three goals, including one from the penalty spot, and providing five assists. With Keith Balde and Shamar Nicholson sent on loan, Sobolev has become the club’s main attacking option up front. His role has been pivotal as Spartak navigates squad dynamics and rotation during a demanding campaign.
During a UAE winter tournament, Sobolev found the back of the net once for Spartak, adding to his growing tally and reinforcing his value to the squad as a reliable attacking outlet in international showcases. The performance highlighted his ability to adapt to different styles of play and competition, which remains a key consideration for the coaching staff as they prepare for the rest of the season.
In the Russian Premier League standings, Krasnodar led the table during the first 18 weeks of the season, finishing the winter break with 38 points. Zenit Saint Petersburg sat close behind, trailing by a couple of points, while Dinamo Moscow held the third position with 32 points. Spartak Moscow occupied fifth place with 30 points, illustrating the tight competition within Russia’s top flight and the pressure on every match in the pursuit of a higher finish. The narrative surrounding Sobolev and Abascal sits within this broader context of squad rotation, performance requirements, and the ongoing race for European qualification spots.
Earlier remarks from Tarpischev referenced questions about Abascal’s preferences regarding players such as Jikia, highlighting the ongoing debate about selection decisions and the balance between current form, squad depth, and long-term strategy. These discussions contribute to a broader understanding of how Spartak plans to optimize its lineup as the season progresses and as the team aims to maintain momentum in domestic and continental competition.