Kuznetsov Reflects on Spanish Football’s Superiority Over Soviet Era

Dmitry Kuznetsov, a former player for Espanyol and several other Spanish clubs, recently shared his experiences transitioning from CSKA Moscow to the Spanish football scene.

“Naturally, when you move to a European club, everything is new – the climate, the country, the language,” Kuznetsov explained. “The level of football in Spain was significantly higher than in the USSR. Spanish clubs had very intensive training sessions and focused heavily on tactical work, which was lacking in Soviet teams. The matches were played in front of packed stadiums. Overall, it was a top-tier experience!”

When asked about potential moves to top clubs, Kuznetsov revealed, “I didn’t receive offers from Real Madrid or Barcelona. However, I had opportunities to join Sporting, Torino, and Servette. But at that time, my child had just started school, so I decided to stay in the Spanish league. Moreover, I had already purchased an apartment in Spain.”

The 59-year-old Russian is also known for his stints with Lleida, Alavés, and Osasuna during his time in Spain.