Spartak’s head coach Guillermo Abascal commented on the outcome of the Russian Cup group-stage clash with Krasnodar, telling reporters after the defeat that his policy regarding penalty takers is simple: a player who takes a penalty should not perform more than one touch during the run of play. This remark was relayed by socialbites.ca.
In the 84th minute, Alexander Sobolev stepped up to take a penalty, but the resulting goal was ruled out after a VAR review that found an infringement in the build-up. The decision kept the match level moments before the decisive late action.
Abascal added that the rule seems unnecessary and suggested that if there is merit to it, it should be reviewed or revisited. He argued that in modern football, the aim is to create a touch that changes the trajectory of the ball and unsettles the goalkeeper. With the array of technologies available today, he stated, such a constraint may no longer be relevant.
The game finished Spartak 2, Krasnodar 3, with Spartak collecting 12 points from six rounds and moving from first place into the playoff picture. Krasnodar earned 11 points and sits in second, while Dynamo Moscow faced a setback, with three players unavailable for their upcoming match against Paris Nizhny Novgorod on November 2, a schedule that reflects tight turnover of squad resources and the intense pace of the season.
Vladimir Ivich, the former Krasnodar coach, weighed in on the Russian Cup rules, noting that some decisions in the competition appear unusual and merit closer scrutiny. His remarks echoed a broader conversation about how the Cup format, officiating interpretations, and the timing of rule applications influence the outcomes of matches and the strategic choices clubs make throughout the tournament. The exchange highlighted how coaches assess performances under pressure and how officials manage the developing game state as late drama unfolds on the pitch. (socialbites.ca, attribution)