Valery Masalitin, a former player for Spartak Moscow, shared his take on the current coaching situation at the club in an interview with socialbites.ca. He believes Guillermo Abascal, the Spaniard who currently leads the red and whites, is highly likely to remain in his role through the end of the 2023/24 season. Masalitin argues that Abascal would be dismissed only in extreme circumstances, and that the club will give him a fair chance to show results in the coming months. He asserts that Spartak will keep the Spanish manager on the bench unless there are force majeure events that push the team into a losing streak and create a compelling case for change. The key point he makes is simple and pragmatic: as long as the team remains competitive, the decision makers will hesitate to replace the head coach, even in the face of occasional defeats. He adds that Spartak must demonstrate its quality in the upcoming fixtures, especially the important matchups against rivals in the league, so the club can project a strong, confident image moving forward.
Spartak Moscow has spent 18 rounds in the Russian Premier League and sits in fifth place with 30 points on the board. The current league leaders, Krasnodar, began the winter break with a comfortable cushion at the top, owning 38 points. Zenit Saint Petersburg sits in second position, just two points behind, while Dynamo Moscow occupies the third spot with 32 points. These standings set a clear context for the rest of the season, highlighting the pressure on all teams to accumulate positive results in the remaining matches and to close the gap at the top.
As the new calendar year unfolds, Spartak is preparing for a high-stakes clash against Zenit, scheduled to take place on March 2 in Saint Petersburg. The venue for this encounter is confirmed, and the kick-off time is set for 19:30 Moscow time. This match is framed as a crucial moment for Spartak, a chance to benchmark themselves against a direct title contender and to demonstrate the club’s intent to fight for a higher finish in the table. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely how Abascal organizes his squad, which players are trusted to start, and how the tactical battle with Zenit unfolds on the night.
One history that continues to accompany the teams is the anticipation of intense exchanges and competitive tension that often precedes their meetings. Both Spartak and Zenit have a storied rivalry that adds extra edge to their encounters, and the expectation of a hard-fought, spirited game is a recurring theme whenever these two clubs meet. The upcoming match will not only shape the immediate standings but will also influence the broader narrative of the season, including how observers evaluate Abascal’s coaching approach and Spartak’s ability to respond to pressure as the campaign progresses.