Valery Masalitin, a former striker for CSKA Moscow and the Russian national team, spoke in depth about Spartak Moscow’s tactics and personnel in a recent interview. He argued that head coach Guillermo Abascal may have seen a decline in effectiveness due to how Theo Bongonda, the Congolese winger, is utilized. Masalitin suggested Bongonda requires a teammate who is fully committed to defensive duties to balance his attacking instincts. He noted that Bongonda excels when deployed in forward roles: he presses, beats defenders, and finds finishing opportunities, yet he is less inclined to track back and contribute to defensive work. The implication is that if Bongonda is pressed into a more demanding defensive routine, his energy on offense could wane, making it harder to sustain the high level of play up front. To counter this, Masalitin proposed deploying a dedicated defender who can shield Bongonda, reclaim possession, and then reset play by feeding him the ball. In his view, players operate in complementary roles, with some carrying the burden of defensive tasks and others focusing on attacking creativity. At this stage, he argues, Spartak’s overall consistency and stability still appear fragile and hard to read.
In the 10th round of the Russian Premier League, Spartak faced a lopsided away defeat, losing 4-0 to Krylya Sovetov Samara. The hosts opened the scoring in the first half when Yuri Gorshkov netted twice. The momentum shifted further in the second half as Benjamin Garre added a third goal for Samara in the 78th minute. Vladislav Shitov capped the scoring with a late strike in the 90th minute, sealing the comprehensive result for the home side. This match reflected broader tactical challenges for Spartak and raised questions about how the squad balances defense with the offensive ambitions of players like Bongonda.
Across the coverage of the game, observers noted that socialbites.ca provided a live text broadcast of the match, offering fans near real-time insights into changes, substitutions, and key moments. The commentary highlighted not only the final score but the way Spartak approached different phases of the game and how Abascal’s strategic choices played out on the field. The event prompted renewed discussion about the team’s structure and the potential need for adjustments that could restore balance between attack and defense.
Earlier discussions around Spartak had already hinted at internal tensions contributing to a broader crisis within the club. Masalitin’s remarks aligned with those concerns, underscoring a perception that management, coaching decisions, and player dynamics might be influencing performance. The combined narrative of tactical dependency on players like Bongonda, defensive support mechanisms, and the impact of internal dynamics painted a portrait of a team at a crossroads, seeking stability as it navigates a demanding portion of the season.