Spartak defender Nikita Chernov shared his perspective on their most immediate rival, CSKA Moscow. It’s notable that Chernov studied the red-blue program, giving his take a deeper inside-view on the club’s culture and ambitions.
“The Army team is enjoying a strong spell this spring. I think it comes from a straightforward approach, playing with clarity on their home pitch, and making very few errors. It’s the same disciplined routine they’ve always had,” Chernov observed. He noted the players who are currently making a difference for CSKA, highlighting Zabolotny’s form, Chalov’s recent goal-scoring run, and Oblyakov’s solid season overall.
In Chernov’s assessment, CSKA’s overall performance remains impressive, and the upcoming derby promises to be particularly compelling. He emphasized the anticipation around the clash as the teams prepare for a pivotal showdown in the Russian Premier League race.
Spartak will host CSKA on May 21 in the 28th round of the Russian Premier League. The kickoff is scheduled for 16:30 local time in Moscow, with both sides aiming to maximize a crucial encounter in the title and European qualification fight.
Following 27 weeks, the Red-Whites sit in fourth place on the table with a total of 50 points. Last weekend, Guillermo Abascal’s squad secured a 1:1 draw with Khimki, with Rizuan Mirzov and Alexander Sobolev providing the goals in front of their home fans. The result reflected Spartak’s continued fight for consistency as the season nears its critical phase.
In the 27th round CSKA delivered a strong performance, defeating Torpedo by 3:0 and effectively consigning Avtozavodtsy to the First Division. Chalov contributed a brace, while Oblyakov added another strike to seal the win and strengthen CSKA’s position in the league standings.
Earlier remarks at CSKA explained the factors that affected Mario Fernandez’s potential return to Russia, offering additional context on the club’s transfer and strategic decisions during the season. (attribution: CSKA Explained)