A former Rubin Kazan midfielder, Alexey Popov, offered his thoughts on the current state of Spartak Moscow in a recent interview. He highlighted a stark reality for the capital club during the March holiday period: the team could not shake the lingering crisis that has shadowed them through the season. Popov suggested that the ups and downs would persist until the campaign concludes, leaving supporters and analysts alike with a sense of uncertainty about the team’s trajectory.
Popov noted that Spartak’s performance had not shown meaningful improvement during an extended three-month training block. He warned that three weeks of work would unlikely be enough to reverse the pattern, pointing out that the foundation laid during the longer training period had not yielded the expected gains. The former player described a tense atmosphere surrounding the squad, with mounting pressure on the coaching staff and a series of unresolved issues that have affected team confidence. In his assessment, Popov touched on problems involving players such as Popov himself, Promes, and questions about the Russians within the squad, underscoring a sense of ambiguity about the squad’s cohesion and direction.
In other Cup action on March 14, Spartak secured a decisive 3-1 rematch victory over Orenburg, advancing to the quarterfinals of the Russian Cup on the Road to the Premier League (RPL) knockout stage. The win marked a strong statement in the competition and demonstrated the team’s potential to compete at a high level when their focus is sharpened and the system is functioning smoothly.
Earlier, CSKA Moscow claimed a 3-1 victory over Rostov, while Zenit overcame Dynamo with a 2-1 result. Baltika Kaliningrad also advanced after a tense penalty shootout against Lokomotiv, underscoring the intensity and unpredictability of the domestic season. These results added layers to the evolving narrative surrounding Moscow clubs and their efforts to restore form and momentum across cups and league play.
Popov’s reflections echoed a broader conversation about the performance expectations placed on Spartak’s goalkeepers. The veteran forward, who has long been part of the discussion around the club’s tactical setup, has been cited by observers as scrutinizing the personnel choices in goal as part of the team’s larger challenge to stabilize performances and instill confidence on match days. This ongoing debate highlights the delicate balance between player selection, coaching strategy, and competitive results as Spartak seeks to reestablish itself among Russia’s football elite. [citation attribution]