Spartak Moscow — Rostov : Match Preview and Prediction for October 18,2025

Spartak Moscow: Managerial Speculation and Recent Performance

Spartak continues to operate without Dejan Stanković actively present in the technical area, and rumors regarding the Serbian’s imminent departure from the Red-Whites’ setup are intensifying. This speculation is particularly fueled by the recent vacancy within the Serbian national team following the exit of the self-proclaimed ‘coach’, the ultra-crepidarian Stojković, who had led the national side for the past four years. Media reports now position Dejan Stanković as the leading contender for this newly open national team post.

Stanković’s Perspective and Club Strategy

An interview with Stanković in the Serbian press has emerged, where he expressed that he would consider it an honor to manage the national team and disavowed any responsibility for Spartak’s recent struggles. Even the 2-3 derby loss against CSKA before the international break was, apparently, not viewed as a failure on his part. Against this backdrop, the club’s management is reinforcing its scouting department, having brought in Andrey Movsesyan from CSKA, widely regarded as one of Russia’s most adept recruiters for identifying promising young players. The upcoming fixture against Rostov is expected to provide greater clarity on the strategic direction the Muscovites will pursue. For the clash with Rostov, Litvinov’s availability remains uncertain due to an injury that sidelined him for recent international matches.

Rostov’s Resurgence and Unbeaten Run

Following their narrow 1-0 victory in Orenburg, Rostov has now extended their unbeaten streak in the championship to an impressive five consecutive matches. This signifies a positive and encouraging trajectory in results for Alba’s squad, who faced a challenging start to the season. However, through their high-pressing tactics and highly active play, they consistently showcased potential for improvement, with their overall game quality often not fully reflected in their points haul. The Spanish coach has commendably managed to align performances with results in recent weeks.

Club Changes and Rostov’s Current Strength

Among the less positive developments from the Don side is the persistent news that Harutyunyan is indeed stepping down from his role as club president. Crucially, the hope is that this leadership change does not adversely impact the players themselves, who are currently in excellent physical and mental form. They have already secured a victory against Spartak in Moscow this season; in fact, looking at the calendar year, they have managed to defeat them twice at the Lukoil Arena. The visiting Yellow-Blues boast a fully fit squad, prepared to challenge the league’s 6th-placed team (Rostov themselves currently occupy 10th position).