Alexander Tarkhanov, the former head coach of CSKA, Krylya Sovetov, and Ural, weighed in on Spartak Moscow’s showing in the opening phase of the Russian Premier League, calling the capital club the standout disappointment of the first round. His assessment, reported by the outlet vprognoze.ru, frames Spartak’s campaign as one where expectations were high and results failed to meet them. Tarkhanov pointed to a gap between the club’s historical prestige and the level of performance shown on the field, suggesting that the Red and Whites should have been contending for the summit rather than struggling to find consistency early in the season .
“Spartak was disappointing, of course,” Tarkhanov remarked, highlighting that the team’s aspirations were to challenge for first place, not merely to secure a place in the upper half. He noted that while Ural endured a rough spell, a direct comparison between Ural and Spartak would still tilt in favor of the Muscovites on several metrics. Tarkhanov emphasized the quality of the squad’s casting—the depth and versatility of the players available to the coach—stating that Spartak’s overall pool of talent should translate into more ambitious results. This critique reflects a broader debate in Russian football about whether historically strong teams can sustain peak performance under the demands of a dense calendar and rising competition across the league .
In the latest round of action, Spartak did manage a win, edging Rostov 2-1 in a tense encounter during the 15th round of the Russian Premier League. The result offered a glimmer of validation for a side that has faced scrutiny, yet it also underscored that progress remains uneven and that a single victory does not necessarily erase the early-season questions surrounding the squad’s structure and tactical clarity. For fans and analysts, the match reinforced the notion that Spartak’s trajectory depends on translating moments of initiative into sustained control and clinical finishing, especially against teams willing to shift gears and push relentlessly in the late stages of games .
Looking at the current championship standings, Spartak sits in sixth place with 24 points, while Rostov holds the 11th position with 17 points. The title race appears to be shaping up around Krasnodar, which leads with 32 points, followed by St. Petersburg’s duo of Zenit on 30 points and Dynamo Moscow on 25. This context matters for Spartak, since the gap to the leaders is not insurmountable, but the path to a high finish requires a sharper, more cohesive game plan, improved defensive organization, and greater efficiency in the final third. The table paints a picture of a league where every point costs something valuable and where every opponent can pose a surprise on any given matchday. The implications for Spartak include recalibrating expectations, sharpening recruitment, and cultivating a longer-term mindset that prioritizes consistency over flashes of brilliance .
As the season moves forward, Spartak’s schedule remains demanding. In the upcoming round, Guillermo Abascal’s squad is set to square off against Baltika Kaliningrad, a contest that will test the team’s ability to impose tempo and maintain concentration over the full 90 minutes. The clash, pegged for November 25, represents another opportunity to accumulate points and demonstrate cohesion at both ends of the pitch. Following that, Rostov is scheduled to host Paris NN Nizhny Novgorod on November 26, a fixture that could influence the mid-table dynamics and provide a gauge for the relative strength of the league’s mid-tier teams. For supporters, the immediate concern is whether Spartak can convert preparation and training-ground improvements into tangible results on matchday, seizing control of games early and sustaining it through the closing phases. Opinions from pundits continue to surface, with former players and coaches offering their takes on how to unlock Spartak’s potential and sustain a higher level of performance across a demanding calendar .
Earlier in the season, Alexander Mostovoy offered his own assessment of Spartak’s first-round performance, contributing to the ongoing debate about how the squad should approach the second phase of the campaign. His perspective adds another layer to the conversation, highlighting the varied viewpoints within Russian football about how best to translate talent into reliable results. As the season progresses, these discussions—alongside tactical adjustments, player development, and strategic decisions at the club’s management level—will play a critical role in determining whether Spartak can reclaim a seat near the top of the table and restore confidence among fans who expect a return to title-contending form .