Valery Kechinov, the former Spartak forward, suggested that Guillermo Abascal should not face a winter firing as a manager. He told Sports Express that patience is needed to assess the club’s direction under the current coach, arguing that the team’s trajectory will reveal itself only after the season closes. “We have to wait until the end of the season to understand where Spartak is going with this coach. Either forward or backward. Or he is marking time, which is not very good. There is no point in twitching anymore,” Kechinov stated, emphasizing a measured approach to evaluating leadership at the club.
In a league fixture played in Moscow on December 9, Spartak celebrated a commanding 3-0 victory over Samara Krylia Sovetov in the 18th round of the Russian Premier League. Quincy Promes opened the scoring just two minutes into the contest, setting the tone for the afternoon. Six minutes later, Alexander Sobolev doubled Spartak’s advantage, and early in the second half, Christopher Martins Pereira sealed the win, delivering a decisive third goal that left Krylya Sovetov with little fight to mount. This result underscored Spartak’s offensive efficiency and provided a fresh momentum boost as the season moved into its latter stages.
Standing-wise, Spartak sits fifth in the table with 30 points, while Krylia Sovetov occupy sixth place with 29 points, a slim gap that keeps the race for European qualification tightly contested. The outcome against Krylia Sovetov highlighted Spartak’s potential when the side combines quick transitions with clinical finishing, especially from Promes and Sobolev, who have become crucial components of the attack. The team’s defensive organization also appeared more compact, limiting a usually dangerous opposition to limited chances and sealing the clean sheet in a display that should embolden fans and staff alike as the campaign progresses.
Looking ahead, questions about the squad’s strengthening needs persist from both fans and pundits. The club’s earlier discussions with former coaches have repeatedly touched on the importance of squad depth, balance across positions, and the ability to cope with a congested schedule. As the season advances, attention will likely turn to potential signings and internal reshuffles that could shore up midfield creativity, defensive resilience, or goal-scoring options. The consensus among many observers is that targeted reinforcements, coupled with consistent performance from the key starters, could elevate Spartak from a chasing position into a genuine challenge for the upper part of the table. The overarching goal remains clear: to convert late-season momentum into a sustained push for higher standings and, ultimately, European competition berths. At present, the club’s leadership faces the delicate task of evaluating options without destabilizing an already developing unit, a balance that will define the winter period for Spartak and their supporters. [citation: Sports Express]