Shumakhov Reflects on Challenge of Facing Spartaks Bulky Forward Zabolotny

The defender of Makhachkala’s Dynamo, **Idar Shumahov**, expressed his thoughts on facing Spartak striker **Anton Zabolotny** in the first round of the Russian Premier League (0:1).

“It’s definitely challenging to play against a physically imposing forward. One could argue for a long time that Zabolotny lacks finesse or isn’t a typical Spartak player, but he brings a significant advantage – he wins nine out of every eleven duels when it comes to long passes. That’s an impressive statistic for a center-back, and for a forward, that’s exceptional,” Shumahov remarked during an interview on “MATCH PREMIER”.

The 34-year-old Zabolotny joined Spartak in the summer of 2025, signing a one-year contract with an option for a second year. Last season, the forward played for Khimki, scoring six goals and providing six assists in 31 matches.