Spartak M – Rubin

Rubin will put in a strong performance on the group leader's field.

Moscow’s Spartak is going through a difficult period. Although it is already hard to remember when things were any different for the “people’s team.” However, after the appointment of Juan Carcedo and the victory in the most recent edition of the national cup, its fans looked forward to the new season with optimism. The club’s officials also emphasized their ambitions, stating that Spartak would compete for the Premier League title. Overall, fifth place in the Russian championship, just four points behind leaders Zenit, does not rule out the “red-and-whites” fighting for the trophy. The problem is that Spartak has lost to all of its direct rivals: Krasnodar, Dynamo Moscow, and CSKA. Carcedo’s team will enter the cup match against Rubin after a bitter defeat to the “army men” in the main Moscow derby. It cannot be said that the “red-and-whites” played badly, but CSKA’s triumph was a deserved outcome. In the group stage of the Russian Cup, the “people’s team” has practically settled all of its issues. Ten points after four rounds allow it to lead the standings outright, three points ahead of Orenburg. For Carcedo’s team to drop out of the top two, it would have to make a serious effort, so the Spanish coach may well field the reserves for the upcoming match. Fortunately, the “red-and-whites” often have young and more experienced players on the bench who are eager to get playing time. In October, Rubin’s run of draws turned into a run of defeats, something the club’s management could no longer forgive Franco Artiga for. Rubin’s management dismissed him as head coach, entrusting Oleg Kuzmin with the role of caretaker. This choice was not accidental. From 2010 to 2018, Kuzmin played more than 200 matches for the Kazan club, and since April 2019 he has worked at the club in coaching positions. Undoubtedly, Rubin’s poor form has understandable causes. One of them can confidently be considered the transfer of Mirlind Daku to Spartak, which seriously weakened the Kazan club’s attacking line. Undoubtedly, the changes to the coaching staff will provide the necessary shake-up among Rubin’s players. A meek defeat in Moscow should not be expected from them. All the more so because the Kazan side is more highly motivated from a tournament perspective.