Spartak coach Alexei Zhamnov called the win over Sochi a welcome reprieve after six straight defeats.
Zhamnov said the game had been difficult and that Spartak had not yet reached the level it was aiming for. He pointed to nervousness, discipline and decision-making as areas the team must improve.
The coach described the victory as a “breath of fresh air” and hoped his players could catch their breath. He said the team still had work to do on its performance and needed to regain confidence after a long run of defeats. The win ended six consecutive losses.
The result left Spartak on 14 points and sixth in the Western Conference. The teams will meet again in Sochi on October 9. The rematch will be an early chance for Spartak to show it can build on the win and play with greater composure.