Spartak Can't Seriously Contend for First Place, Says Semin

Former Lokomotiv Manager Believes Muscovites Not Title Threats

Former Lokomotiv Moscow manager Yuri Semin has poured cold water on Spartak's title aspirations, claiming that the Red-Whites "have no chance" of winning the Russian Premier League this season.

Spartak currently sit top of the table, one point ahead of second-placed Zenit St. Petersburg with 10 games remaining.

However, Semin, who won the RPL title with Lokomotiv in 2018, believes that Spartak's lead is precarious and that they will ultimately fall away in the title race.

“Spartak have a good team, but they are not title contenders,” Semin told Sport Express.

"They have too many weaknesses, and they will be punished for them in the second half of the season."

Semin pointed to Spartak's lack of experience at the highest level as a major factor in their title bid.

"Most of their players have never won a major trophy before," he said.

"They will need to learn how to deal with the pressure of being in a title race, and I don't think they are ready for that yet."

Spartak have not won the RPL title since 2017, and their last major trophy was the Russian Cup in 2022.

Semin's comments are likely to be met with disappointment by Spartak fans, but the former manager's track record suggests that he knows what he is talking about.

He is one of the most successful managers in Russian history, having won five RPL titles and six Russian Cups.

Only time will tell whether Semin is right about Spartak, but his comments will certainly give the Red-Whites something to think about.