[3] In summer 2017, during the preseason, Slaven drew 1–1 with Russian champions Spartak Moscow in a friendly match in Villach on 7 July.

[5] The match helped Bistrović attract attention of the Russian market, with Spartak's rivals CSKA Moscow's coach Viktor Goncharenko insisting that the club buys the young Croatian.

[3] On 8 March, he made his debut for the team in the UEFA Europa League round of 16 match against Lyon where he came on as a substitute for Alan Dzagoev in the 82nd minute.

[8] In the quarter-final home leg against Arsenal on 12 April, he was praised for his performance as CSKA drew 2–2, but nevertheless failed to progress to the semi-finals.

[9] On 27 July, he played the whole game in the 2018 Russian Super Cup as CSKA defeated Lokomotiv Moscow 1–0 after extra time, earning Bistrović his first career trophy.

[13] On 1 September, he scored and assisted in a 4–0 victory over Ural Yekaterinburg, but suffered an ankle injury in closing minutes of the game.

[30] On 14 September 2023, Bistrović moved to Russian Premier League club Baltika Kaliningrad on loan with an option to buy.