Spartak and Dynamo have announced the starting lineups for the 22nd round of the Russian Premier League. The match is scheduled for April 8 and will kick off at 19:30 Moscow time, setting the stage for a high-stakes derby in the capital.
Spartak’s XI features Selikhov in goal, with Tavaresh, Chernov, Litvinov, and Khlusevich forming the defensive line. Zobnin anchors the midfield alongside Martins and Prutsev, with Ignatov and Balde providing thrust through the middle and Sobolev offering width in attack. The visitors, Dynamo, present Shunin in goal and a back four that includes Dasa, Sazonov, Marichal, and Skopintsev. The midfield trio consists of Fomin, Zakharyan, and Macaron, while Gagnidze supports Tyukavin and Ngamale in the forward positions. The reserve squads for both teams include players such as Maksimenko, Volkov, Maslov, Vedeneev, Klassen, Duarte, Rybus, Zinkovsky, Denisov, Zorin, Meleshin for Spartak, and Leshchuk, Budachev, Parshivlyuk, Maistrovich, Lesovoy, Norman, Smolov, Grulev, Gladyshev for Dynamo.
Following the 21st round, Guillermo Abascal’s squad sits third in the standings. Spartak has collected 12 wins, 5 draws and 4 losses, totaling 41 points. Dynamo has secured ten league victories, with five draws and six defeats, placing fifth after 21 rounds. Akhmat Grozny’s win over Ural in the 22nd round briefly nudged Dynamo down to sixth, with 36 points tallying the gap between the clubs. A narrative of tight competition and shifting positions characterizes the season as teams jostle for European qualification and a top-two finish.
Gadzhi Gadzhiev, who previously led Anji and Amkar and now heads Dynamo Makhachkala, shared insights on the Moscow derby for the 22nd round of the Russian Premier League. He acknowledged that both clubs have faced recent difficulties but stressed the importance of unity and a collective push in a match of such prestige. His assessment highlights the strategic adjustments expected from both sides as they seek to reclaim consistency and momentum in a fixture that often defines the psychological tone for the remainder of the campaign. [citation: Gadzhiev briefing, team press materials].