Rostov’s former coach Sergei Balakhnin weighed in on the Moscow clash between Rostov and CSKA, noting that the game was kept on despite heavy snowfall on match day. He spoke to socialbites.ca, emphasizing that the decision to play is a gesture toward the fans who attend games, and that weather conditions should be considered in advance while planning. He added that some games are worth proceeding with because spectators deserve to be respected, and those loyal to the teams should have their rights acknowledged, even if only a little.
He continued by saying that it is possible to anticipate harsh weather like snow or frost and to account for it in the schedule. Suggestions included arranging more matches in southern cities or tweaking the calendar to reduce weather-related disruptions, balancing fairness for fans with the needs of the competition, Balakhnin believes.
CSKA won 2-0 with goals from Fedor Chalov and Victor Mendez. The match carried extra tension as Moscow experienced snow from morning hours, with stadium teams clearing the field using specialized equipment up to kickoff. The referee team led by Rafael Shafeev extended play, while players battled through a thick layer of snow for most of the game.
Earlier Balakhnin expressed admiration for CSKA’s performance, noting the team’s ability to display artistry even on a snow-covered surface.