A thrilling encounter at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium left FC Spartak and FC Zenit fans buzzing as they witnessed what could be described as the pivotal match of the 21st round of the Russian Premier League (RPL). On March 16, 2025, Spartak claimed its first victory over Zenit at home in seven years, managing to secure the win with a final score of 2:1.
Former Spartak player Aleksandr Piskaryov was quick to assess the performance of the red-and-white side post-match, commenting on their solid but not flawless play. “The game was uncompromising and tough for both teams. The opponents went beyond the rules, committing fouls,” he stated, reflecting on the physicality of the match.
Spartak’s forward Kristoffer Martins opened the scoring with his stellar performance, netting a brace against Zenit. Meanwhile, Luis Henrique put Zenit on the scoreboard, marking his first goal for the club after joining recently. Piskaryov highlighted the importance of securing their lead, stressing, “Spartak needs to score a second goal to secure themselves, as 1:0 is not deemed victorious for Spartak.” This statement captures the pressures faced by the players and the history of past disappointments.
Despite the victory, Piskaryov observed the defensive instability of the current Spartak squad. “The defense has been inconsistent lately. There’s no doubt, Luis Henrique scored a beautiful goal, sending the ball straight to the top corner. But why wasn't he marked? Someone should have approached him as he moved along the penalty area,” he questioned, hinting at shortcomings yet to be addressed as the season progresses.
With this win, Spartak now sits second on the RPL table, amassing 43 points, just behind leaders FC Krasnodar, who have 46. Zenit, following the defeat, has dropped to third, reflecting the competitive nature of this season’s race for the title.
Zenit was not ready to accept the result without voicing their disappointments. Alexander Medvedev, chairman of the Zenit board, made clear the club's intention to file a complaint with the Expert-Judicial Commission (ESC RFU) concerning three key incidents from the match. Medvedev pointed out, “Our protest concerns the second goal scored by Spartak and the two yellow cards, which should have turned to red ones.”
Medvedev alleged there was obvious VAR error when determining offside positions leading to the conceding of the 90th-minute winning goal. The club believes such errors unfairly affect their pursuit for the RPL title. He asserted, “We cannot devalue the competition and become hostages to refereeing decisions,” reflecting broader concerns shared among teams about the VAR's functionality.
Adding to this commentary, Alexei Miller, chairman of Gazprom, also voiced skepticism about the VAR system. His remarks came after Zenit’s loss to Spartak, emphasizing the need for clarity on how VAR interprets offside lines, stating, “If someone says VAR is objective objectivity – don’t believe your ears.”
The aftermath of the match has been stirring up discussions, as Zenit is preparing for upcoming matches, aiming to reclaim their place atop the RPL standings. Medvedev confirmed their desire to push for clarity and fairness within the officiation of matches, highlighting the high stakes involved, especially as the season tightens.
With the next fixtures already on the horizon, Piskaryov warned Spartak to maintain focus and intensity, encouraging them to adopt the same tenacious approach exhibited against Zenit. “The attitude should be the same starting from the first minute irrespective of where the match is played. Aggressive forward play and responsible defense must be on the agenda,” he advised, foreshadowing the challenges to come.
What transpires next for both clubs as they vie for the championship remains uncertain, with Spartak eager to solidify its standing and Zenit determined to recover lost ground. The rivalry is expected to intensify as each team faces its next opponents, with the spotlight firmly on their strategies and performances following the recent controversies.
Football fans will undoubtedly keep their eyes peeled on this captivating season of the RPL, as narratives of triumph, frustration, and fierce competition continue to emerge.
