The key facts

  • Alexey Batrakov scored two goals against Stuttgart within three minutes and was named man of the match
  • Ponomarev noted Batrakov's increased workload compared to his time at Lokomotiv
  • The summer 2026 transfer to Galatasaray was worth €25 million plus bonuses

A brace against Stuttgart and advice from a former CSKA defender

Former Moscow CSKA and USSR national team defender Vladimir Ponomarev, in an interview with Gazeta.Ru, said that for Russia national team midfielder Alexey Batrakov, the key task is not to lose his physical condition after standout performances. 'The main thing is that he has enough strength for all of this,' Ponomarev noted, adding that the footballer does a lot of physical work and covers large distances on the pitch.

What has changed in Batrakov's game

Ponomarev compared Batrakov's current role with his play at Lokomotiv: according to the former player, at the Moscow club he 'would sometimes join the attack, sometimes not,' while at Galatasaray he works both in defense and in attack, and has also taken over free-kick duties. The Champions League match against Stuttgart on November 3 ended in a 2:0 victory for Galatasaray,with Batrakov in the starting lineup, scoring both goals three minutes apart — in the 12th and 15th minutes. He was substituted in the 77th minute and was later named man of the match.

Transfer context

Batrakov moved from Moscow's Lokomotiv to Galatasaray in August 2026: the transfer fee was €25 million plus bonuses, and the contract with the Turkish club runs until June 30, 2031. Earlier, according to a Gazeta.press report, Ponomarev had already praised Batrakov's play — the new assessment came after his brace in the Champions League.