Valery Gladilin assesses Spartak setback after loss to Fakel
In a discussion with socialbites.ca, former Moscow Spartak coach Valery Gladilin analyzed the setback following a 0 2 defeat to Fakel Voronezh in the 20th round of the Russian Premier League. He warned that this loss snuffed out Spartak’s chances to contend for a medal as the season progresses toward its final phase.
Gladilin explained that with ten matches remaining, reaching the top three would be virtually impossible. The gap to the leaders had widened too much, leaving little room for a late surge. He noted that the best realistic target had been participation in the awards, with a probable third place representing the ideal outcome. That window, he said, had already closed.
After that result, Fakel sits on 25 points in the 11th position of the league table, while Spartak stands sixth with 31 points. The two teams prepare for their next steps as the campaign moves forward.
Fakel is set to host their next match against Ural, a fixture that could influence the race for positions and the balance of momentum for both clubs as the season unfolds.
Following the round, Zenit extended its lead by defeating Ural and advancing to the top with 40 points. Krasnodar sits one point behind, and Dinamo Moscow remains in the top three with 38 points, highlighting the tight competition inside the upper portion of the table.
Former Russia national team coach Boris Ignatiev offered his perspective on the factors behind Spartak’s defeat to Fakel, providing analysis on tactical choices and on-field execution that shaped the outcome. The assessment adds another layer to the ongoing discussion about Spartak’s form and its trajectory for the remainder of the season. [Source: socialbites.ca]