Valery Masalitin, a former CSKA Moscow and Spartak player, recently shared his thoughts on the Russian Premier League title race and offered a detailed look at the tactical issues holding CSKA back from breaking into the championship contention. Speaking to socialbites.ca, Masalitin unpacked how a team that carried the league’s best defensive credentials in the preseason could still stumble when problems showed up in defense and in preparation for big games. He argued that a few adjustments in formation and personnel might have changed the trajectory of the campaign, and his observations touched on both the strategic and the personnel levels that influence outcomes on match days. This assessment comes as CSKA navigates a season that has not yet yielded consistent, high-level performance, prompting questions about how the squad can close the gap to the top teams and sustain a challenge across the remaining fixtures.
Masalitin pointed to a concrete example from the early season Super Cup clash against Zenit, where the tactics suggested a vulnerability in open spaces behind the lines and an exposed rear. He noted that while the defense appeared stout in the lead-up to the campaign, injuries and squad alterations affected its solidity. In a possible shift, he proposed adjusting the back line to a four-man setup to seal the zone behind the midfield and neutralize rapid transitions. The idea was simple: if the defense could be kept compact, there would be less room for opponents to exploit free space, and the team could limit dangerous runs from opposition forwards. He suggested that in some matches, adopting a more conservative shape and relying on a lone striker might reduce pressure on the defense and provoke counterattacks with purpose when the right moment arose.
The discussion then turned to the configuration of the attacking line. Chalov, Masalitin observed, has often been deployed in the center or slightly to the left rather than strictly as the focal striker. This is a change from the traditional forward role he has been associated with, and it can alter how the team uses its attacking runs and holds the ball under pressure. The veteran noted that Chalov’s movement behind the front line sometimes creates space for teammates, but the positioning can also blur lines and complicate the link play with the midfield. In this light, the return of Ivan Oblyakov to a left-hand position, where he has previously made meaningful contributions, was another strategic variable under consideration. Oblyakov has demonstrated versatility, moving from a right center-back role last season to various duties this season, and his capacity to influence the tempo and create chances remains a resource the coaching staff can depend on when used wisely.
The comments from Masalitin suggested a broader critique: the problem does not lie with one single factor but with a series of issues that must be resolved collectively. He emphasized that there is no single blame resting on the coaches, the players, or the game plan alone. Rather, a combination of misaligned roles, gaps in team balance, and inconsistent execution at the moment of truth has kept CSKA from finding a steady rhythm. He pointed out that the club has seen promising moments in individual matches, yet those moments have not coalesced into a reliable, repeatable performance across the season. The result is a team that, as he put it, is not in optimal shape, with several key points being dropped through the rounds.
In recent results, CSKA settled for a 1-1 draw away at Orenburg in the sixth round of the Russian Premier League. The match followed a 1-2 away defeat to Dinamo in the previous round, underscoring a stretch where the team has struggled to collect three points in back-to-back appearances. With ten points on the board, CSKA sits in fifth place in the standings, a position that reflects both the potential of the squad and the gaps that still need to be addressed to mount a serious title challenge. The club is now faced with a pivotal period in which strategic tuning and player utilization will determine whether a deeper slide or a rebound is possible.
The veteran’s remarks also hinted at the urgency of balancing creative impulses with defensive discipline. The team appears to possess pieces capable of producing chances and maintaining pressure, but the alignment between defense and attack remains a recurring theme. If the coaching staff can stabilize the defensive line, optimize the roles of Chalov and Oblyakov, and ensure that Davila and other newcomers contribute without destabilizing the structure, CSKA could re-emerge as a challenger in the race. For supporters and analysts, Masalitin’s analysis provides a framework for understanding what needs to change beyond mere turnover in personnel, pointing toward a more coherent system and a sharper sense of collective purpose.
The key takeaway from the veteran observer is that the path to glory in the current campaign depends on smart adjustments, not isolated remedies. There is a sense that the team has the talent to compete with the best, but consistency is required. If CSKA can fix the defensive balance, clarify attacking roles, and integrate the squad’s versatility without compromising structure, the door to championship contention might not be closed. Until then, each match will carry lessons about what works under pressure and what must be improved to turn potential into tangible results.