Moscow Spartak Striker Balde Reacts to Russian Cup Exit While Focus Shifts to Upcoming League Test
In a tough night for Spartak Moscow, striker Celta Balde spoke about the team
0s exit from the Russian Cup following a 1-2 defeat to Akron Togliatti in the Russian Cup Regions Road semi-final. The loss ended Spartak
0s campaign in the national cup competition for the season. Earlier in the Cup, Spartak had also fallen to Ural Yekaterinburg, a result that left the club near the bottom of the cup table as the season progressed. (Source: Club press office)
Balde acknowledged the sting of disappointment while underscoring the need to move forward.
“Of course we were all disappointed with this result. Everyone in the team wanted to advance and continue their journey in the Cup. But there is no time to dwell on it because the focus must shift to preparing for the next league match. The season is not over yet”, Balde commented. (Source: Club press office)
At present, Spartak sits in third place in the Russian Premier League standings. Zenit Saint Petersburg leads, with a gap of 13 points ahead of the capital club, while Rostov trails in second, just one point ahead of Spartak. The latest run of results shows the team has registered only one win in its last four fixtures, highlighting a period of struggle for consistency. Looking ahead, the next league test will see Spartak hosting Krasnodar on April 24 in what promises to be a pivotal fixture as the race for European qualification and domestic positioning intensifies. (Source: Club press office)
In related commentary, observers have noted that leadership within Spartak should consider decisive steps to navigate the club out of the current crisis. Notably, former broadcaster Gennady Orlov suggested that the Moscow side might benefit from providing head coach Guillermo Abascal with continued support to stabilize performance and rebuild momentum across competitions. (Source: Club press office)
As the season unfolds, Balde and his teammates will be expected to respond with stronger showings in league play, balancing cup heartbreak with the rigorous demands of the domestic championship. The team remains intent on turning a challenging spell into a platform for improvement, aiming to secure a more favorable position as the campaign progresses. (Source: Club press office)