Guillermo Abascal / Photo: © Denis Bushkovsky / Match TV
Former Spartak footballer Maxim Demenko believes coach Guillermo Abascal’s decision to remove forward Alexander Sobolev from training with the team was correct.
Earlier, journalist Ivan Karpov reported that Abaskal, after the 10th round match of the MIR RPL with Krylya Sovetov (0:4), suspended Sobolev from training in the general group until his return from the Russian national team due to a violation of discipline. It was noted that the football player repeatedly missed team breakfasts. According to Match TV, Sobolev was suspended from training with the team after an emotional response to Abaskal’s claims, which the specialist presented in a harsh and insulting manner.
— What do you think about Sobolev’s suspension from training after the match with Krylia Sovetov? They wrote that the suspension was due to the fact that the player missed the team breakfast three times. What could this behavior of the attacker indicate?
– This is Sobolev’s problem. I am sure that the coach made the decision to suspend him for a reason. He has his own discipline. He warned the team about his rules. Abascal has his own principles. He believes that as a team, all players must comply with his demands. Alexander could come for breakfast, stand, take coffee and leave. Technically, the coach could have compromised, but he probably felt that the routine was very important and everyone should follow it. This is a fundamental decision and, in my opinion, the right one. Alexander should think carefully about this situation.
— Why did the player ignore the warnings? Is this a principled position or rather laxity?
— Each team has a routine that must be followed. Even if it’s an early rise. You could have breakfast and go on to bed. But the player decided that he shouldn’t do this. Maybe Abascal had even fined him for this before. And the third time he made such a fundamental decision and did not allow the player to attend classes.
— Do you rule out that Abaskal will now put Sobolev on the bench?
– This could definitely be the case. If today one is given some slack and the other is given some slack, then later there will be no discipline in the team.
— Do you think Sobolev will learn such an educational measure?
– Certainly. Who does he make worse? Only for myself.
— Could there be a conflict between the players and the coach in the team, because there were such rumors?
– Is it possible. When (George) Dzhikia did not play, such a moment also developed. There is some kind of communication between the players. This is a bad moment. Now after the national team we need to build a team and produce results.
— Do you think that Sobolev’s suspension could have consequences in the future in the form of poor performance by the football player?
– I don’t think this will happen. If Sobolev does not give his all in matches, he will only create problems for himself. He’ll just end up on the bench.
– But there is no alternative to Sobolev at Spartak now.
– Yes, she is not there, but Abaskal still followed the principle. It will be as he decides.
— Sobolev did not take part in the cup match with Dynamo before the derby with CSKA, which surprised many, because he would not have played with CSKA in any case. Maybe this is because of Alexander’s removal from the team?
– May be. How long can a player be warned? You must fulfill all the requirements of the coaching staff, no matter how tired you are or anything else. Sobolev was obliged to come for breakfast.
— How can the fact that this story spilled into the public affect the situation? Can increased attention discipline Sobolev?
– It depends on Alexander. He can come up to Abascal and say that he was wrong and will not repeat this. The player must admit his mistake. There is no other way,” Euro-Futbol.Ru quotes Demenko.
On Sunday, Spartak will host PARI NN at their home stadium in the match of the 12th round of the WORLD RPL. After 11 rounds, the Moscow team scored 17 points and ranks sixth in the standings.
Watch live broadcasts of MIR RPL matches on the Match TV and MATCH PREMIER TV channels, as well as on the websites matchtv.ru and sportbox.ru.