Football manager Alexei Safonov offered a pointed assessment of Spartak Moscow, suggesting that the players no longer fully trust their head coach Guillermo Abascal. Safonov’s comments highlighted a growing disconnect within the squad and hinted at issues that go beyond tactics on the pitch. He said the team is talented, but the misalignment appears to be influencing every aspect of performance, from mindset to on-field chemistry. In his view, the presence of certain players who realize they have limited chances can create subtle rifts that ripple through training and match days. Abascal, he argued, has not managed to generate the confidence needed for players to feel secure in the system, and that absence of belief could be the most damaging issue of all.
Spartak faced a tough result on September 2, dropping a 0-2 away match to Krasnodar. The hosts struck first through Krasnodar forward John Cordoba in the 39th minute, then extended their advantage late in the game as Eduard Spertsyan found the net in the 84th minute. The setback underscored the concerns about balance and cohesion within Spartak, and it prompted broader discussion about how the squad responds to pressure and how leadership decisions translate into performance when the game is at stake.
Looking ahead, Spartak is scheduled to meet Sochi on September 16. The kickoff is set for 19:00 Moscow time, a fixture that will test the club’s ability to reset after a difficult result and to implement any strategic adjustments under Abascal. Coaches and analysts alike will be watching how the team approaches this match—whether they reaffirm their attacking intent, tighten defensive organization, and show the kind of unity that fans expect from a squad with strong individual talent.
Maxim Demenko, a former Spartak player, reiterated a belief that the club remains dependent on Abascal’s leadership. His remarks reflect a long-standing tension inside the red-and-white camp: the balance between trusting the manager and maintaining player motivation when results are uneven. The dialogue surrounding leadership, team spirit, and performance is central to Spartak’s season as it moves through a demanding schedule and pursues consistency amid high expectations.
In the broader context of the league, pundits note that a club with Spartak’s history and resources typically responds to adversity with an emphasis on collective resilience. The developmental path for players, the strategic choices made by the coach, and the internal dynamics of the squad all contribute to the outcome of each match. For Spartak, the journey involves aligning talent with a clear, confidently executed plan and rebuilding trust within the group after a stumble. The looming question remains: can the current leadership stabilize the atmosphere, reestablish faith in the tactical approach, and convert potential into steady, results-oriented performances on the pitch?