Former CSKA Moscow striker Ivica Olic has delivered a stark assessment of his old club's season following their narrow defeat in the Russian Cup final. The ex-forward watched as Spartak Moscow secured a 1-0 victory in the Path of Regions Fonbet Cup final for the 2025/2026 season, a result that Olic believes signals the definitive end of CSKA's competitive year.
Olic, who was present at a stadium in Munich at the time, managed to catch the first half of the Moscow derby. He observed that both teams created opportunities during the opening period, but it was Spartak who struck early. The former international drew a parallel to a recent high-profile European match, noting that Spartak's early goal was reminiscent of Paris Saint-Germain's approach in their Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich.
Despite CSKA's efforts to find an equalizer throughout the remainder of the contest, they were unable to break through Spartak's defense. The single goal proved to be the decisive moment in the final, handing the trophy to their city rivals and leaving CSKA empty-handed in their last chance for silverware this campaign.
In his exclusive comments to a correspondent from the Russian sports outlet Чемпионат, Olic was unequivocal in his conclusion. He stated plainly that the season is now over for CSKA. With no more matches to play for major honors, the club's focus must immediately shift to planning and preparation for the upcoming season. The current campaign, in his view, has reached its conclusion.
The match itself was the culmination of the Path of Regions Fonbet Cup, a significant domestic knockout competition. For Spartak, the victory represents a major trophy and a successful end to their cup run. For CSKA, the loss is a disappointing conclusion to a season that held promise but ultimately fell short at the final hurdle.
Olic's perspective carries weight given his history with the club. His comments reflect a pragmatic, forward-looking mentality that is often necessary in professional sports after a painful defeat. The emphasis is now on learning from the experience and channeling the disappointment into motivation for the challenges of the next season.
The result and subsequent reaction highlight the intense rivalry between Moscow's football giants. A cup final between CSKA and Spartak is always a high-stakes affair, and this edition lived up to its billing with a tight, tense encounter decided by a single moment of quality.
Based on reporting from Чемпионат.com.
