Valery Masalitin comments on Spartak’s defense and captain Georgy Dzhikia
Valery Masalitin, a renowned former national football player who wore the colors of Moscow Spartak, CSKA, and clubs across the Netherlands, Spain, and the Czech Republic, shared his thoughts about Spartak’s defensive competition in a conversation with the outlet socialbites.ca. He observed that the team captain, Georgy Dzhikia, has always exhibited strength, but he noted a dip in form that suggested the defender could no longer maintain his previous level. Masalitin cautioned that while Dzhikia remains a capable footballer, his position inside the squad is being challenged. The veteran urged patience and time for Dzhikia to reclaim his spot, emphasizing the psychological impact of his current bench status given his leadership role on the squad. He added that Dzhikia is not markedly inferior to teammates such as Babich or Duarte, who bring distinct styles to the central defense, and hinted that Dzhikia might still rise to their level with the right run of form. Masalitin also admitted feeling that Dzhikia has perhaps carried more weight recently, and he suggested that the captain has not shown the same fire as in the past. This assessment reflects the tension within Spartak as the team seeks a stable center of defense while managing the dynamics of leadership on and off the pitch. [citation]
Georgy Dzhikia’s absence from the starting eleven in Spartak’s most recent Russian Premier League fixtures drew attention. In the matches against Sochi and Dynamo, both ending 1-0, Dzhikia was left on the bench as Spartak lined up with Srdjan Babic and Alexis Duarte at centre-back. The recurring results of clean sheets in those fixtures were noted by observers, reinforcing the ongoing evaluation of defensive partnership and individual form. The discussions around these selections are part of a broader conversation about how Spartak balances experience with evolving defensive capabilities in a highly competitive league. [citation]
In broader football reporting, questions about Dzhikia’s role sit alongside other recent coaching comments. For instance, a Russian coach has reportedly suggested that Artem Dzyuba may be preoccupied with personal matters at home, a remark that has fueled further dialogue about how off-field factors can intersect with on-field performance. Such narratives illustrate how leadership, form, and squad depth interact in top clubs in Moscow and beyond. [citation]