Italian football analyst Massimo Carrera, renowned for his tenure as Spartak Moscow’s head coach, highlighted Dutch forward Quincy Promes as the standout player for 2023. Carrera’s assessment, shared with Sports Express, places Promes at the core of Spartak’s ambitions as the club navigates a demanding season.
“Promes has consistently been Spartak’s best performer in recent years, and this season is no exception”, Carrera remarked. His verdict underscores Promes’s influence on the pitch and his role in shaping the team’s attacking dynamic as Spartak contends with fierce competition in the Russian Premier League (RPL).
Under the leadership of Guillermo Abascal, Spartak entered the second half of the Russian Premier League season with 30 points from 18 matches, sitting in fifth place. The club sits eight points behind the leaders Krasnodar and six points adrift of Zenit St. Petersburg, who sit atop the table. In parallel, Spartak advanced to the Russian Cup knockout stages through the RPL group phase, sharing the group’s top spot with Krasnodar and placing Dynamo Moscow in third.
On 22 December, Spartak announced the appointment of Tomas Amaral as the club’s new sporting director. Amaral, who previously held the position of scout at Benfica, Lisbon, is set to assume his duties on 1 January 2024. This marks a transition episode for Spartak as they reframe their football operations and talent-scouting approach ahead of the rest of the season.
A former Spartak player provided an analysis of why new signings may not immediately change the club’s trajectory, noting the need for a cohesive integration plan, tactical adaptability, and a steady development pathway for existing players. The commentary reflects a broader understanding that transfers alone rarely guarantee rapid improvement without synchronized training methods and long-term strategy.