Spartak and CSKA Derby: Bushmanov Passes On Expectations
Veteran defender Evgeny Bushmanov, known for his long career with Spartak and CSKA, shares his expectations ahead of the derby between his former clubs. He notes that CSKA currently presents a stronger form than Spartak, and that gives the army club the edge as a favorite. Yet he cautions that favorites do not guarantee victory. If Spartak approaches the game with maximum effort and executes their best football, they have a real chance to claim the win.
Bushmanov emphasizes that Spartak must focus on their own performance and responsibilities. The priority is to secure points and build a strong position in the table rather than worrying about rivals’ placements. This mindset, he suggests, is essential for the team to maximize its potential in the run of the season. The sentiment reflects a pragmatic approach to derby pressure and the realities of a tightly contested league race, as noted by observers of European football coverage. [citation]
The upcoming clash sees Spartak hosting CSKA in the 28th round of the Russian Premier League. The kickoff is scheduled for 16 30 Moscow time on May 21. The fixture is poised to test the teams at a critical stage of the campaign, with both sides looking to sharpen their form before the late-season stretch.
After 27 rounds, Spartak stands in fourth place with fifty points. The previous weekend saw Guillermo Abascal’s squad settle for a 1 1 draw with Khimki, with Rizuan Mirzov and Alexander Sobolev finding the back of the net for the visitors. The result kept Spartak in the pursuit of a podium finish and continued to fuel the battle for European qualification spots in the league table. [citation]
CSKA entered the 27th round with a convincing performance, taking down Torpedo 3 0 and effectively consigning Avtozavodtsy to relegation danger. Fedor Chalov struck twice while Ivan Oblyakov added another, underscoring CSKA’s attacking efficiency and their intent to press for a higher league position as the season progresses. The result reinforced the sense that the Red-Blues possess a potent offensive mix capable of deciding matches in important moments. [citation]
Former teammate Nikita Chernov expressed admiration for CSKA’s cohesion and the way the squad has developed under recent leadership. His observations highlighted the depth and resilience of CSKA as they approached the derby week, a factor that could influence the approach Spartak takes in the upcoming fixture. The overall mood around the club was described as confident yet focused, with players aware of the significance of delivering a strong performance in front of their home supporters. [citation]