Aleksandr Maximenko Reveals the Secret Behind His Successful Footwork

The goalkeeper of «Spartak» and Russia's national team, Aleksandr Maximenko, shares why footwork has been his priority since childhood.

The goalkeeper of Moscow's «Spartak» and the Russian national team, Aleksandr Maximenko, discussed the importance of footwork for today's goalkeepers. He emphasized that coach Kafanov highlighted the need to develop this skill.

“I started to focus on this from a young age. While working at the Rostov academy under Serbian specialists, it became clear that they immediately saw the future in having good footwork. Alexander Veselinovic developed a methodology for us, strongly recommending short passes regardless of success or error. This has paid off,” Maximenko shared.

When asked which coach at «Spartak» particularly emphasized footwork, Aleksandr mentioned Abascal. “We frequently played through the goalkeeper using low passes. Tedesco also highlighted this, albeit in slightly different ways. But essentially, all coaches discuss this — the key is to try playing low and clear only when there are no other options.”

The 26-year-old Maximenko became part of «Spartak's» main team in 2018. This season, he has played 15 matches for the «red-whites» and conceded 12 goals.

Match broadcasts of the RPL are available on Russian TV channels.