"You can't blame Rasskazov alone": Ledyakhov on Spartak's problems in defense, Maksimenko's mistakes and the derby with Zenit

- On the eve of the derby, Spartak and Zenit played matches in European competitions and lost.

But if the defeat of the Petersburgers did not cause a negative reaction, then the Muscovites got seriously.

What emotions did the performances of both teams evoke in you?

- Naturally negative.

Still, the focus is on the result, and both teams lost.

It is encouraging that Zenit looked pretty good against Juventus, the grandeur of European football.

Spartak had all the prerequisites for a victory over Leicester, but when the score was 2: 0, something unimaginable happened to the red and white.

We conceded three times in nine minutes and were defeated.

In my opinion, the opponents are not in the best psychological state for the derby.

- I was surprised that, despite the status of an opponent, Spartak quite boldly played with Leicester.

Especially against the background of previous confrontations with European teams of a similar level - Benfica and Napoli.

- As for the first half, Spartak really played uninhibited.

The footballers were well prepared, they knew how the enemy was acting.

On the other hand, Brendan Rogers' charges did not close.

In my opinion, this is the best time for the team under the leadership of Rui Vitoria in European competition.

With the same "Napoli" and "Benfica" they fought much more.

- Where exactly has progress been noticeable?

- Better to go from defense to attack, controlled the ball.

Alexander Sobolev and Jordan Larsson performed well.

If the moment with the first goal was not without luck, then the second ball turned out to be very nice.

Active pressing from someone else's penalty area led to an interception, Victor Moses broke through the flank and shot at the Swede, who struck in one touch.

Therefore, the failure in the second half was a huge surprise for me.

The line of defense looked ugly.

- Due to a bust of yellow cards, Maximiliano Kofrie was unable to enter the field in the match against Leicester, as a result of which Nikolay Rasskazov was the basis.

If we abstract from the names, how logical is it to release the flank defender to the place of the extreme center?

- In fact, among the representatives of these roles, the functions are not very different. In addition, in the meeting with Leicester, he actually played the role of full-back. Nikolay is an experienced footballer. You shouldn't blame everything on youth. However, one cannot blame Rasskazov alone for the goals conceded by Spartak. Pay attention to how Georgiy Dzhikia and Samuel Zhigot acted in these episodes. All three were grossly wrong tactically.

Let's take the third ball of the British.

The pivot area collapsed, leaving James Madison all alone in the center circle.

In this situation, the defenders needed to group up and retreat to their goal.

This would slow down the pace of the attack and give time for Zobnin and Litvinov to cover the midfielder of the guests.

However, Gigot pulled out at his opponent, as a result of which he violated the integrity of the line and made it easier for the opponents.

There was a free space, followed by a transfer behind the back to Rasskazov.

In this moment, the whole defense played, as in a children's school.

At this level, this is unacceptable.

- Many are surprised that Rui Vitoria stubbornly relies on Rasskazov, ignoring Ilya Kutepov and Ilya Gaponov.

With what it can be connected?

- We know that Kutepov is a qualified footballer with experience of playing at the World Cup, but we cannot have any idea what state he is in at the moment.

The head coach is not his enemy and chooses the best.

I don't believe in bias on the part of Vitoria.

Apparently, both Ilyas are worse prepared.

- Commenting on the defenders' performance, the ex-Spartak midfielder Maxim Kalinichenko was more categorical and said that Zhigo had failed worse than Rasskazov.

- If we analyze the game of defense, then Dzhikia and Zhigo make many tactical mistakes, which the fans often do not pay attention to.

Because of this, Spartak concedes so often.

- But after all, a year and a half ago, the Jikia - Zhigo pair was considered almost the strongest in the RPL.

- In the first year, she and Jikia looked good.

And this was especially striking, because for a long time the team did not have a performer of this level in the center of defense.

Yes, there are many flaws in Gigot's game, but he compensates for this with a desire, an attitude to business.

Everyone can see that a person is fighting to the end, beating.

But situations often arise when he too adventurously advances on the opponent and loses position.

This is an indicator of the class.

- In recent years, it is generally accepted that in terms of skill, Gigot surpasses all his colleagues in the role in Spartak, including Djikia.

Do you agree?

- I think these are players of about the same level.

Perhaps Jikia is a little slower.

But Georgy has demonstrated a fairly high-quality football for a long time, has established himself not only in the club, but also in the national team.

Recently, however, the number of effective errors has increased markedly.

- At one time there was talk about the naturalization of Gigot.

Given the current selection of players, do you think Samuel would play at the base of the national team?

- Why not?

The Russian national team has a shortage of both strikers and central defenders.

The same Mario Fernandez was granted citizenship.

For four years he helped the team, but now he is tired.

Gigot could have followed the same path.

But I would note that now a good generation of performers of this role is growing up in the country.

Igor Diveev is developing at CSKA, Dmitry Chistyakov at Zenit.

He may not spend much time on the field, but he is a qualified athlete.

Let's not forget about Maxim Osipenko from Rostov.

I think that if these guys are inferior to Samuel, then quite a bit.

- Choosing from the trio Zhigo - Diveev - Chistyakov, whom would you prefer to see as Jikia's partner?

- Chistyakova.

- As far as we know, Gigot will not be able to play in the match against Zenit, therefore, they will either have to rotate the top three, or switch to the 4-4-2 scheme, according to which Spartak played until the end of August.

Which option do you prefer?

- I think Vitoria will not change the formation and will release three central defenders.

And this is especially logical considering that Artyom Dzyuba and Serdar Azmun will most likely be at the start of Zenit.

- Who do you see next to Jikia and Kofrie?

- Kutepov may also come out.

In my opinion, a good three.

It is always difficult when the line of defense is constantly being shuffled.

And even before such an important meeting.

- After the match, many Spartak players asked not to subject Rasskazov to harsh criticism.

Don't you think that Vitoria should put him at the base of the derby with Zenit in order to support morally?

- This is professional football, not a kindergarten.

At the press conference, Vitoria did the right thing, saying that Rasskazov was not to blame for anything.

I am sure that during the analysis he will tell Nikolai how he looked on the field, in what moments he miscalculated.

- Until the defeat by Legia, it was Rasskazov who was considered the main right-hand central defender of Spartak, but then Kofriye gave way.

Although, before the transfer from Saint-Truiden, he was considered a weak defender and called this transfer a failure.

How would you rate the level of the Belgian?

- I confess that at first this acquisition was also a little surprised.

I thought: "Is our Kutepov worse than a player from the middle peasant of the Belgian championship?"

I can't say that Kofrie acts flawlessly, but overall he looks confident enough.

- As far as we know, the goalkeeper's position in Spartak may well be strengthened soon.

According to rumors, the club is interested in inviting a competitor for Alexander Maksimenko.

A logical move?

- I think yes.

Artyom Rebrov is already aged and rather plays the role of a goalkeeper coach.

And Alexander Selikhov just can't get fit and compete for a place at the base.

In general, I agree with this decision.

Maksimenko needs to be spurred on.

Healthy competition is always beneficial.

Having a talented young goalkeeper on board will have an extremely positive impact.

- Recently, many have accused Maksimenko of making many mistakes, not helping out.

Is this opinion justified?

- I don’t think that Maksimenko doesn’t help.

From time to time he helps out in difficult situations, another thing is that he regularly misses in important matches.

He does not always conduct status meetings smoothly, and this provokes criticism against him.

But do not forget that Alexander is still a young goalkeeper.

- Don't you think that recently Maksimenko has begun to stagnate, if not regress?

- I think we are too categorical in relation to him.

He definitely did not slow down.

Maksimenko's game is a reflection of Spartak's performance in the season.

Do some of the players look stable?

- In your opinion, is Maksimenko now in the top 5 of the strongest goalkeepers in Russia?

- Yes, which is confirmed by the calls to the Russian national team.

In the five strongest goalkeepers in the country, he definitely appears.

- Speaking on the positive side, which of the Spartak players made the most pleasant impression on you in the match against Leicester?

- If we talk exclusively about the first half, then almost all of Vitoria's wards deserve high marks.

Sobolev very well acted on the edge, Larsson finally came to his senses.  

- In the third round of the Europa League, Zelimkhan Bakaev scored with an assist, who held meetings with Dynamo and Akhmat at a high level, and also showed himself brightly in the Russian national team.

Can we say that he resembles himself from the period of 2019 - before the coronavirus disease?

- It seems to me that it is wrong to blame everything on illness.

Still, this is a young player, he is characterized by fluctuations in form.

Yes, in three masts he demonstrates a good level, but it is too early to draw far-reaching conclusions.

- Therefore, it is too early to say something specific about Ruslan Litvinov?

- Litvinov looked decent in the double.

Therefore, it is not surprising that it was he who was at the base when Roman Zobnin, Nail Umyarov and Yorrit Hendrix began to be eliminated due to injuries.

Sometimes Ruslan flirts, loses his position.

It is also necessary to add to the creation, because it is the performers of his role that are responsible for promoting the ball, supplying the attackers with passes.

- If we take Spartak's line-up for the match against Leicester as a basis, how many changes would you make before the game against Zenit?

- I don’t think that Vitoria has the need and the opportunity to carry out a large-scale rotation.

Only Quincy Promes can strengthen the composition, otherwise the bench is entirely young.

- Assuming that Sobolev, Larsson, Bakaev and Promes are in equal condition, who would you launch at the start?

- If Vitoria does not change the scheme on the eve of the meeting with Zenit, then he would prefer to see Sobolev, Promes and Bakaev in the top three of the attack.

- If you do not take into account the Match Premier Cup, Spartak cannot beat Zenit in the last seven matches.

What do you think is the reason for this?

- Of course, Zenit is better equipped than other RPL teams.

Very cool football players are gathered there.

As the statistics show, Spartak will not win in the derby of the two capitals for a long time, and even this match is not in the best emotional state.

In my opinion, Semak's wards will win with a minimum score.

The maximum will be a draw.

- Zenit was defeated in the previous two rounds of the RPL, but then almost took the points from Juventus.

Good performance of Petersburgers or not the best day for Turin people?

- Juventus was not like itself, especially in the first half.

Yes, Zenit looked good, but in European competition its attacking scheme with Artyom Dzyuba at the forefront is irrelevant.

This is the last century.

Look at other bands.

All attackers are mobile, constantly moving, pressing.

Petersburgers use an outdated model.

As for the unsuccessful series in the Russian championship, you shouldn't pay attention to this.

Yes, Semak's wards lost two times in a row, but in both cases they had a colossal advantage, had a huge number of chances.

It just happens that the ball does not go into the opponent's goal, and you miss in a single counterattack.

In terms of the quality of the game, Zenit remains the strongest in the RPL.

No questions.

- Under Vitoria's leadership, Spartak have lost eight out of 16. Do you think that in case of defeat at Zenit, the coach can be dismissed?

- They have been talking about this since the first round.

There is no point in mentioning this.

Not even the first circle is over yet.

The coach needs to be given time to see what happens next.

- Should Vitoria be blamed for the current setbacks of the team?

- He works with those players who were already in the team.

Apart from Kofrie, not a single player was purchased in the summer.

Although they have long been talking about the need to strengthen the support zone, the attacking line.

It can be seen that Vitoria wants to instill a bright, attacking style of play in the team, but so far the level of performers does not correspond to his ideas.

To finish the season with dignity, Spartak needs at least three acquisitions.