Spartak Moscow’s forward Keita Balde has missed the last three fixtures as part of a training-focused plan, a move that has sparked discussion about discipline and squad management. The team, known as the red and white, is led by head coach Guillermo Abascal, who reportedly believes Balde did not give training sessions the level of attention required. As a result, Balde has sat out games as part of a disciplinary approach, while the player himself is actively attempting to demonstrate his commitment during practice sessions in order to persuade the coach otherwise. (Metaratings.ru)
During the 2022/23 season, Balde appeared in three matches for Spartak. Soon after his arrival in August 2022, it became public knowledge that the striker would need to serve a suspension. On 17 September, while with Italian club Cagliari, it emerged that Balde had been disqualified by Italy’s National Anti-Doping Tribunal until 5 December for a doping control violation. (Metaratings.ru)
Under the terms of the suspension, Balde was eligible to return to training no later than 22 days before the end of the ban. (Metaratings.ru)
A former Spartak player, Yegor Titov, offered his perspective on the situation and what it might mean for the team as they prepare for forthcoming fixtures, including a potential semi-final clash in the Russian Premier League against Yekaterinburg’s Ural. (Metaratings.ru)