Former player and former head coach of Spartak Moscow, Dmitry Alenichev, shared his thoughts with TASS, expressing the view that the red-whites should not pursue major changes during the upcoming winter pause. He suggested that the club ought to rest, carefully review its program, and come back ready to resume the fight with renewed focus rather than rush into drastic moves or managerial upheaval. The emphasis in his message was on stability and steady rebuilding rather than drastic overhaul at the midseason mark.
Alenichev pointed out that in football clubs with high expectations, whenever a team experiences defeats, whispers of replacing the coach tend to grow louder. He stressed that Spartak’s situation at the moment does not warrant sweeping changes during the winter break. Instead, he believes the squad should use the downtime to analyze performances, identify specific flaws, and map out a more precise plan for the second half of the season. This approach, he argued, would provide a clearer pathway for improvement and reduce the risk of hasty decisions that could hinder long-term progress.
Reflecting on Guillermo Abascal’s management, Alenichev said it is difficult to fairly evaluate the work of the colleague. He did not want to publicly criticize the Spaniard, but he acknowledged that Spartak has shown inconsistent forms in recent matches. The former midfielder and coach noted that consistency has been lacking, which makes the winter break an important opportunity to reset, restore confidence, and reestablish a clear tactical identity. As he put it, the coming weeks could reveal more about the team’s potential than the results of the current run.
In the 18th round of the Russian Premier League, Spartak faced Krylia Sovetov Samara and prevailed with a decisive 3-0 victory. Quincy Promes opened the scoring in the second minute, setting the tone for the match. Six minutes later, Alexander Sobolev doubled the lead, underscoring the visitors’ early dominance. Right at the start of the second half, Christopher Martins Pereira added his name to the scoresheet, sealing the final result and giving Spartak a strong performance that highlighted the team’s attacking potential when it functions cohesively.
Interesting dynamics surrounded the coaching staff during this period, as Guillermo Abascal, who had been associated with the club in some capacity, did not participate in the Spartak coaching team during the match. This absence added to the sense that the squad was navigating a phase of transition and evaluation, with the winter break offering time to reassess personnel decisions, training plans, and game-day strategies. Stakeholders in Canada and the United States who follow the league from overseas were paying attention to how Spartak would balance squad rotation, injuries, and tactical experimentation as the season progressed toward its latter stages.
In the current standings of the Russian Championship, Spartak holds fifth place with 30 points. The balance of the table reflects a mix of competitive pressure and the opportunity to climb, especially if the team can translate the positives seen in certain matches into consistent performance across rounds. This midseason position means that efforts during the winter pause could influence the second half of the campaign, potentially reshaping expectations for fans in North America and beyond who track the league and its outcomes as part of a broader European landscape.
Earlier, a long-time Spartak veteran discussed what the team must do to move out of trouble and restore momentum. The emphasis across veterans and analysts has often centered on tightening defense, sharpening finishing, and maintaining a disciplined approach to pressing and transition play. The current discussion around coaching stability, player development, and tactical clarity is not just about one season; it touches on the club’s long-term strategy, the demand for consistent results, and the need to cultivate a resilient squad capable of competing at the highest level in domestic and international contexts. The winter break, viewed through this lens, becomes a chance to align objectives, rebuild confidence, and set a clear path toward stronger performances when play resumes.”