Former Spartak, new Zenit right winger Vladimir Bystrov
We knew this yesterday, which is why we were willing to talk about it on the podcast and assume it in the preview of Spartak’s Saturday match-up with Rubin Kazan. That the club is now confirming the sale of Vladimir Bystrov to Zenit St. Petersburg is anti-climatic but provides closure.
Spartak’s speedy right winger, a member of the Russian national team, is now a member of Zenit, with the rumored €15 million price-tag perfectly fitting Bystrov’s buy-out clause.
Leaving a team that is competing for a title for one that’s mid-table begs questions of Bystrov. Know that he is not only from St. Petersburg but came through Zenit’s youth system before a highly controversial move to Spartak in 2005. The timing of the move hints that Bystrov wanted to move back north.
In the pitch, this severely hurts Spartak’s chances to keep up with Rubin. They are one point behind and can emerge from this weekend with the league’s lead, but given the importance of Bystrov to the club, it would not be surprising to see Spartak fall at home. If they do, they will find themselves in a fight for Champions League, as far this weekend neither CSKA and FC Moscow will not be that far behind whomever loses at Lizhniki on Saturday.
Zenit welcomes a home-town kid back and can start to consider whether they can get into the top four. They currently sit seventh, five points behind a European spot, having yesterday been eliminated from Europa League qualifying.
[...] Spartak Confirms Bystrov Deal [...]