Spartak searching for success

By Eduard Nisenboim & Pavle Gognidze

When FC Spartak Moskva finished third in Russia's Premier-Liga last year and lost all six of their UEFA Champions League games, few worried too much at the capital club.

More misery
After all, all-conquering Spartak had won nine of the eleven Russian championships played since 1992. However, the start of the 2003 season has seen more disappointment with Spartak languishing in the wrong half of the table, with only two wins to their name. To make matters worse, it is not just the performances on the pitch that have left the fans concerned in recent times.

Sytchev saga
First up was the saga that led to the playing ban, and then departure to Olympique de Marseille, of talented youngster Dmitri Sytchev. In January, the supporters waved goodbye to another Russian international with Vladimir Beschastnykh heading off to Fenerbahçe SK.

Transfer headaches
As if problems with outgoing players were not enough, Spartak also experienced problems acquiring new faces in the pre-season. Vladislav Vaschuk's transfer from FC Dynamo Kyiv ended with a conflict which required FIFA's intervention, while the move of Dmitri Smirnov from FC Torpedo-Metallurg Moskva involved six various hearings at the disciplinary bodies of the Football Union of Russia.

Alenitchev inquiry
The beginning of the season in March also saw the club involved in a criminal investigation into the 1996 sale of then Russian player of the year Dmitri Alenitchev to AS Roma. According to the country's tax department, the €7m transfer fee did not end up in Russia but allegedly surfaced in Switzerland instead. Although the case has yet to reach court, the tax police have already interviewed Alenitchev, coach Oleg Romantsev - who was then chairman of the club - and also Yuri Zavarzin, a former senior figure at Spartak now with FC Dinamo Moskva.

New man
"I did not work at Spartak at that time, and I cannot comment," said current Spartak chairman Andrei Chervichenko. "The club has been restructured recently, and I did not inherit any book-keeping from my predecessors."

Injury worries
It remains to be seen what consequences of the case will be - but Spartak have plenty to occupy their minds while they wait. Long-term injuries have taken their toll, with Russia captain Egor Titov only just back in action while Ukrainian defensive stalwart Dmytro Parfionov is injured, and Baye Kebe, Moises and Vasily Baranov have also all missed games.

All change
To compensate for the players leaving and the enforced absences, several new faces have been added, among them three Brazilian players who have taken time to adjust to their new surroundings. Certainly Romantsev has yet to find his perfect lineup so far this season, fielding ten new players out of the 21 men used in the first seven games of the season.

Coach silent
Against this backdrop, the club has become a target for media criticism. Much has been made of Romantsev's continued absence from press conferences - although a coach of his pedigree would argue there is little to talk about when you are placed 12th in the league. Romantsev's assistant, Sergei Pavlov, has deputised on such occasions and has stressed that the team is new and needs more time.

Back on track
"We have not been outplayed in any of the games," he said after Spartak came from behind to win 3-1 in their last outing against FC Shinnik Yaroslavl on Sunday. "We were losing because of mistakes but we feel we're on the right track now." That positive result has meant renewed optimism that the red-and-whites could yet challenge for honours this season. Spartak are still Spartak after all.