The renowned Russian coach Valery Nepomniachtchi spoke with CSKA about the recent dip in Spartak Moscow and what it could mean for the upcoming derby.
He observed that the team seems to surge with intensity only to lose it soon after. Sometimes they appear capable of challenging Zenit, other times they struggle to handle a mid-table club like Khimki. This volatility echoes a pattern once seen in Spartak during the Soviet era, when the squad could be inspired to perform brilliantly or fade when inspiration waned.
From a resource and materials standpoint, Spartak no longer matches Zenit as a direct rival. The same verdict applies to CSKA. The army club currently appears to be performing at a high level, compiled through steady effort and disciplined tactics, as Nepomniachtchi noted in remarks attributed to bob soccer.
Looking ahead, Spartak will welcome CSKA on May 21 for the 28th round of the Russian Premier League, a match that carries significant implications for both sides.
After 27 rounds, the Red-Whites sit in fourth place with 50 points. In their most recent outing, Guillermo Abascal’s squad settled for a 1-1 draw with Khimki, with Rizuan Mirzov and Alexander Sobolev getting on the scoresheet for Spartak.
CSKA, in the 27th round, delivered a convincing 3-0 victory over Torpedo and pushed Avtozavodtsy down to the First Division. Fedor Chalov registered a brace, while Ivan Oblyakov added another goal. With these results, CSKA moved four points clear of Spartak and Rostov in the standings, reinforcing the competitive tension at the top of the table.
In related commentary, former coach Andrey Talalaev drew parallels between Real Madrid and Spartak in terms of attacking intent, highlighting how ambition on the front line can define a club’s performance in big matches and long campaigns alike. (citation: bob soccer)