Moscow Spartak extended its winning run at the winter training camp in Abu Dhabi, recording a fourth consecutive victory that showcased the team’s growing cohesion and sharpness on the field.
On February 21, the squad coached by Guillermo Abascal dominated Astana with a dominant 4 zero result. Prior to that, Spartak had surged past Al-Ahly Dubai by five goals to none, crushed Kairat from Kazakhstan six to nil, and overwhelmed Abdysh-Ata from Kyrgyzstan four zip. In total, the red-white lineup has chalked up four wins in a row while conceding nothing, finishing those fixtures with an imposing 19 goals scored and none conceded. The performances reflected a clear intent to hit the ground running when the league resumes and to build tactical fluency across multiple formations and pressing intensities.
The team is set to complete its third winter training session on February 29 before returning to Russia, where the squad will regroup for the next stage of preparations and the upcoming competitive schedule. This phase of the winter program is designed to sharpen fitness, refine patterns of play, and integrate any new arrivals into the squad’s system while maintaining the intensity required for a demanding campaign ahead.
In the domestic league, Spartak has accumulated 30 points from 18 rounds and sits in fifth place in the current standings. Krasnodar led the championship before the winter break with 38 points, while Zenit St. Petersburg is close behind in second place, trailing by a narrow margin. Dynamo Moscow occupies the third position with 32 points, rounding out the top tier of the table at the midpoint of the season. These positions underline the challenge ahead for Spartak as they target a return to the upper echelon of the table and a strong finish to the campaign.
The next hurdle for Spartak will be a clash with Zenit in the 19th round of the Russian Premier League. That match is scheduled to take place on March 2 in St. Petersburg, with kickoff set for 19:30 Moscow time. It promises to be a pivotal test of character and execution as both teams seek momentum at a critical juncture of the season. The anticipation surrounding the fixture is heightened by the contrasting styles each side brings and the strategic contest that typically unfolds in big-match settings. Fans will be watching closely to see how Spartak translates their Abu Dhabi form into league performance against a direct rival for honours in the table.
There was also commentary from the Russian Football Union about potential tax considerations affecting foreign players, a discussion that has stirred dialogue among clubs about the financial and regulatory environment surrounding squad composition in the league. According to the sports desk, this topic has emerged in ongoing conversations as federation officials consider fiscal measures that could impact how teams manage overseas talent as part of their broader squad-building strategies. This context adds another layer to the planning for Spartak as they navigate both on pitch demands and off field policy developments that could influence transfer strategies and wage structures in the months ahead.