According to Zarema Salikhova, who is married to Leonid Fedun, the former owner of Moscow Spartak, the upcoming derby between CSKA Moscow and Spartak Moscow is being framed as a clash between two distinctly different squads. The observation, reported by metaratings.ru, highlights the contrasting trajectories each club has pursued as they prepare for a high-stakes encounter. Salikhova’s remarks set the stage for a match that many fans anticipate not only for its history but for what it might reveal about the teams’ current identities and future directions.
Salikhova pointed out that CSKA earned a silver medal in last season’s Russian Championship and also captured the National Cup, presenting these achievements as a kind of gift from Spartak to the reigning CSKA side in the wake of the past competition. The implication, as she framed it, is that CSKA has the foundation to build a fresh, competitive squad from the successes of the recent campaign, while Spartak is in a different mood—intense, perhaps even frenzied, as the club seeks a renewed championship push after years of promises and substantial expenditure.
Both clubs are preparing for their October 8 meeting, with kickoff scheduled for 19:00 Moscow time. The crowd and commentators alike are weighing how the tactical setups will unfold: will Spartak’s supporters see a bold, momentum-driven approach, or will CSKA lean on discipline and a cohesive tactical plan to leverage the momentum of their recent silverware? The date adds a sense of urgency to the rivalry, as fans expect a game that could redefine momentum for the season’s critical stretch.
In the current Russian Premier League (RPL) standings, Spartak sits in fifth place with 16 points. CSKA is positioned seventh when considering tiebreaking indicators, trailing the red-and-whites in overall metrics, while Krasnodar leads the league with 24 points. The gap between the two teams in the standings underscores how every point in this fixture carries extra weight, and both clubs will be eager to adjust their positions as the campaign progresses. The Derby of the Capital remains a charged barometer for form, confidence, and the ability to translate potential into consistent results on the field.
Earlier remarks attributed to Salikhova, along with statements from Luca Cattani, touched on the broader narrative about Spartak’s current status and future prospects. The sense conveyed is that Spartak is actively seeking a transformative season, one that could reposition the club within the league’s pecking order, while CSKA appears to be capitalizing on established strengths to consolidate their standing and push for more silverware. The clash on October 8 will thus serve as a real-time test of these divergent paths, with the outcome shaping the tone of discourse around both clubs in the weeks that follow.