Maxim Demenko, a former domestic player with a notable career that also included time with Moscow Spartak, offered a clear-eyed view of Spartak Moscow’s showing in the RPL Winline Winter Cup in Abu Dhabi. He believes the team arrived for the Rostov match not at peak readiness and argues that Shabab Al-Ahli, eliminated in the second round, did not match Spartak’s level on the field. Demenko points to a tough setup created by the combination of the tournament format and a compressed training schedule, which forced rapid adaptation from the squad.
According to Demenko, the opening game exposed a team that looked unsettled early. He observed that the initial 20 minutes were evenly contested, but Rostov gradually imposed control while Spartak wrestled to regain their rhythm. There were flashes of potential, yet the squad had started its pre-season later than several rivals. He stressed that the competition rewards sharp readiness and quick adjustments, underscoring the need for a fearless early approach. In the second match, the opponent appeared less troublesome, and Spartak demonstrated a higher tempo, more decisive actions, and tighter collective movement. Still, the gap in class against Rostov remained evident in his assessment, signaling that improvements would be needed if the team is to compete at the highest level as preparations continue.
During the tournament’s opening clash, Spartak fell 0-3 to Rostov. In the following game, the red-and-white defeated Shabab Al-Ahli 5-0 with a display that suggested growing cohesion and intent. The upcoming challenge against Kairat from Kazakhstan promises another step in the coaching staff’s evolving plan under Abel Alvaro Abascal as the team solidifies its preseason program. These results feed ongoing discussions about lineup choices and tactical adjustments as Spartak readies for a demanding schedule that includes both European and domestic duties, with a calendar packed in the near term. As the team assesses its options, conditioning, experimentation in formation, and on-field cohesion take center stage in the lead-up to a busy campaign. Cited from socialbites.ca
Speculation around Spartak has touched on possible departures, including questions about Jikia’s future with the squad and the ongoing debate over Abascal’s role, though nothing definitive has emerged. The club appears intent on strengthening conditioning, widening tactical experimentation, and building on-field unity as it prepares for a heavy timetable ahead that features substantial European and domestic commitments. The focus remains on translating preseason work into consistent performances when the real competitive matches begin, with a clear aim of advancing to the next phase of both league and continental campaigns.