Former Russian international Vladislav Radimov shared his take on Spartak’s lineup in the game against Paris NN, suggesting the team looked sharper without Alexander Sobolev. His remarks were quoted by Sports Express. Radimov pointed out that if Sobolev is fully fit, he would naturally be among the starters. Yet, he admitted he was not in peak condition himself and noted Sobolev’s appearance in the second half came after Promes sustained an injury. In Radimov’s view, Sobolev’s introduction showed that the striker remains a key option when needed, but his own physical state at that moment limited his immediate participation.
Radimov offered support for coach Guillermo Abascal, saying the coach is making prudent choices at this stage. He highlighted that Spartak, playing without Sobolev and with Nizhny in the lineup, performed well in the first half. The former defender stressed that he stands firmly behind the coach’s decisions and suggested Sobolev should not expect special treatment. Radimov’s stance reflects a belief that the team is experimenting with rotations to maintain overall balance and performance, rather than rewarding individuals regardless of form.
On October 18, journalist Ivan Karpov reported that Spartak’s head coach Abascal paused Sobolev from training with the squad due to a disciplinary violation. The striker had been involved with the Russian national team in the days preceding the event, which added another layer of complexity to the squad’s dynamics.
Subsequent updates from Metaratings indicated that the coach was unhappy with Sobolev’s attitude toward training, and there were tensions noted between the Spaniard and defender Georgiy Dzhikia. These developments contributed to broader discussions about discipline, squad harmony, and how leadership decisions impact on-field performance.
In the match against Paris NN, Sobolev did not start and participated only in the latter portion of the game, reinforcing the notion that strategic timing and training discipline were factors guiding his role. The situation shaped conversations about the club’s approach to player management and the potential consequences of off-field behavior on selection.
Commentators have described Abascal as a coach willing to enforce standards while pursuing competitive results. The evolving narrative around Sobolev’s role at Spartak underscores the tension between individual talent and collective discipline within a squad striving for consistency in the league and European competitions.