Moscow’s former general manager Spartak Evgeny Melezhikov looked back on the round 11 clash in the Russian Premier League where Spartak hosted CSKA in the capital. He offered his take on the final result and explained why the mood around the game did not rise to the level of celebration, even though the outcome carried value for his former club. His reflections, conveyed to Sports24, focused on expectations, performance on the day, and how the point from the draw fits into a broader assessment of the campaign to date. [Source: Sports24]
According to Melezhikov, the lack of positive emotion stemmed from a clear expectation that Spartak would secure the victory, ideally by a narrow margin. He anticipated a win with a scoreline of two goals to one, a result that would have matched the momentum and the tactical plan visible in the intervals of the game. Instead, the visitors from Moscow found themselves in a position where CSKA managed to equalize in the closing stages, and the final whistle confirmed a share of the spoils rather than a win for Spartak. The sense he expressed was that, while a draw is not a defeat, it does not deliver the uplift he hoped to feel after such an encounter. The assessment remained that it was a respectable outcome but not the triumph his side had set out to achieve. [Source: Sports24]
The actual match, played on October 8 at the Otkritie Bank Arena in Moscow, finished 2–2 after a sequence of moments that swung between both teams. Milan Gaich produced a brace, delivering a double tally for Spartak’s rivals, while Quincy Promes and former CSKA player Jesus Medina provided Spartak with goals that kept the scoreline level. Medina’s effort, arriving in stoppage time, was a critical contributor to ensuring the draw gave Spartak something to build on and emphasized the late intensity of the contest. The drama of those late minutes underscored how a single moment can redefine perceptions of a whole match. [Source: Sports24]
After 11 rounds in the Russian Championship, Spartak stood in fifth place with an accumulation of 17 points, while CSKA remained in eighth place, also on 17 points. The standings reflected how evenly matched the teams have been this season, with the table offering clarity on the competitive distance between the top sides and the chasing pack. The next meeting between Spartak and CSKA was scheduled to occur during the 21st round of the league, though the precise date and kickoff time had not yet been confirmed at the time of the discussion. The unresolved scheduling added a layer of anticipation for a clash that could sharpen positions and influence momentum moving deeper into the campaign. [Source: Sports24]
In the wake of the match, Spartak issued a message to the fans to address the outcome and look ahead. The communication signaled a readiness to translate the lessons from the CSKA game into future performances, reinforcing the club’s intent to stay competitive throughout the season. The post-match tone suggested a commitment to maintaining intensity and focus, even as supporters processed a result that offered both positives and areas for refinement. [Source: Sports24]