Following the 1-1 draw between Spartak Moscow and Khimki in Week 27 of the Russian Premier League, former Manchester United winger Andrey Kanchelskis offered his assessment that Spartak seem to be wrestling with a mental slump. His remarks were shared by RB Sports and echoed by observers across Russian football as they digested the result and its implications for the title race and European qualification spots.
Kanchelskis argued that the Red-Whites are currently in a period of psychological weariness. He noted that beating Khimki would have been a key step in keeping their bid for second place alive, but there are moments when the collective confidence dips and the team appears to drift. In his view, Spartak entered the match with momentum only to encounter a psychological trough, a hurdle that can affect performance in tight fixtures and late-season runs.
The match itself saw Khimki strike first through Reziuan Mirzov in the 23rd minute, ahead of Spartak’s response. The Moscow side drew level in the 56th minute when Alexander Sobolev found the back of the net, restoring parity and altering the dynamic of the contest. The equalizer kept both teams in the hunt, but the stalemate meant Spartak could not close the gap on the leading pack as the season pressed on.
As a result of the draw, Spartak climbed to third place in the table with 50 points, while Khimki remained in the 15th position on 18 points. The margin underscores how precarious the relegation battle can be for the Moscow Region club, with the league table continuing to evolve as every round unfolds. Zenit St. Petersburg maintained the summit after their own decisive performance in the 26th week, reinforcing their status as the team to chase this season and adding further pressure on the chasing pack.
Complimenting the on-pield analysis, former Russian international Alexander Mostovoy commented on the work of Spartak head coach Guillermo Abascal. While opinions diverge across experts, Mostovoy’s perspective contributed to the broader discussion about leadership, tactical adaptation, and the ability to maintain intensity across a demanding schedule. The feedback reflects the broader narrative surrounding Spartak as they navigate a demanding campaign and balance domestic duties with their ambitions for higher finishes.