Spartak Moscow midfielder Zedson Fernandes has heaped praise on goalkeeper Alexander Maksimenko following their team's narrow 1-0 victory over CSKA in the final of the Path of Regions Fonbet Russian Cup for the 2025/2026 season. The match took place at the Lukoil Arena in Moscow.
Fernandes emphasized Maksimenko's quality, stating that the shot-stopper is a very good goalkeeper who delivered an excellent performance on the day. The player acknowledged that while CSKA possesses talented individuals, Spartak managed to contain them effectively.
A key moment in the match came during the second half when Maksimenko produced a remarkable double save. He first parried a long-range effort and then, showing quick reflexes, recovered from the turf to block a follow-up shot from approximately eight to nine meters out.
This victory secures Spartak's place in the final of the tournament. They will now await the winner of the other semi-final match between Krasnodar and Dynamo Moscow to determine their opponent for the cup final.
The comments from Fernandes highlight the collective effort and defensive solidity that underpinned Spartak's hard-fought win against their city rivals. Maksimenko's interventions were crucial in maintaining their clean sheet and advancing to the next stage.
The Path of Regions Fonbet Russian Cup continues to provide exciting knockout football, with Spartak now looking ahead to the final showdown. The team's focus will be on preparing for the ultimate match, where they will aim to lift the trophy.
Based on reporting from Чемпионат.com.