Former defender of Moscow’s Spartak Dmitry Kombarov offered his take on why the red-and-whites have seen a dip in results during the spring stretch of the Russian Premier League season, sharing his views with Sport Express. He notes that in his assessment the team faces a combination of factors that have weighed on performance after a lengthy winter preparatory period and the challenges of competing with squads that have grown more stable in their setups. Kombarov emphasizes that the current squad is relatively young, and while youth brings energy and potential for rapid growth, it also brings inconsistency. The frequent changes in the lineup, he argues, have disrupted continuity and rhythm, making it harder to establish a cohesive identity on match days. Yet he asserts that this pathway remains a deliberate strategy aimed at developing young footballers who can anchor Spartak for years to come, even if it requires patience from fans and critics alike. He also points out that the absence of European competition has reshaped the club’s priorities and daily calendar, which in turn influences how resources are allocated, how training blocks are organized, and how quickly players can be integrated into the first team. The dynamic between long-term development objectives and short-term results is, in Kombarov’s view, a tension that the club has to manage with prudence as it navigates a challenging phase of the season.
With five rounds remaining in the league campaign, Spartak remains in third place in the standings, a position that keeps them within shouting distance of the top, yet under pressure from rivals who are pressing for every drop of advantage. The side coached by Guillermo Abascal has accumulated 49 points and continues to chase the leaders, who have carved out a comfortable cushion through consistent performances. Zenit St. Petersburg leads the table with 61 points, while Rostov sits second on 50. CSKA Moscow occupies fourth place with 48 points, and the race for European qualification or a higher finish remains intensely contested as the season approaches its finale. The champions’ battle is shaping up to be a test of depth, tactical flexibility, and the ability to convert chances in tight fixtures, all of which are crucial for a club aiming to return to the summit in Russian football this year.
Looking ahead to the next fixture, Spartak will travel to face Zenit in what promises to be a high-stakes away match scheduled for May 7, with kickoff set for 18:00 Moscow time. The trip to Saint Petersburg represents a stern test, pitting a team in the midst of a development phase against a powerhouse that has shown length and continuity at the top of the league. Fans and analysts will watch closely to see how Spartak adjusts its approach for this encounter, whether through tweaks in the midfield balance, changes in pressing intensity, or strategic shifts aimed at conserving energy across a congested run of games as the calendar turns. The outcome could influence the momentum of both clubs for the remainder of the season and may have bearing on how Spartak plans its squad composition for the months ahead.
Previously, comments from veteran Spartak figure Evgeny Bushmanov surfaced, suggesting that the club’s leadership understands the challenge of taking points off Zenit in a direct head-to-head clash. The emphasis remains on avoiding a moment where Zenit would clinch the title by defeating Spartak, which would complicate the race for Russia’s crown. In Bushmanov’s view, a win in this upcoming block of fixtures would carry symbolic significance beyond the three points, signaling Spartak’s intent to compete at the highest level and to keep the championship race open for as long as possible. Observers note that the tactical balance, the projection of younger players into key roles, and the ability to sustain effectiveness over a demanding sequence of games will collectively determine whether Spartak can transform a promising phase into meaningful gains in the final weeks of the season.