Former Rostov coach Sergey Balakhnin shared his expectations ahead of Rostov’s Russian Premier League clash with Krasnodar. Balakhnin suggested Rostov would enter the game as the favorite, noting that Krasnodar had just played a Cup match with Ural and might be feeling the fatigue from midweek exertions. He also hinted that Krasnodar could shuffle players to be ready for the Cup final against CSKA, while Rostov would be aiming to collect valuable points in the title race. His remarks were published by socialbites.ca.
The match is scheduled for May 21, with kickoff set for 19:00 Moscow time. This fixture arrives as Rostov eyes crucial points in the pursuit of Russian Championship medals, and Krasnodar looks to secure a better position in the standings as the season nears its end.
In the broader context of the campaign, Zenit Saint Petersburg clinched the Russian championship on May 7, defeating Spartak Moscow and earning their fifth consecutive title. CSKA Moscow sits in second place with 54 points, while Rostov and Spartak occupy third and fourth places with 50 points each. Krasnodar sits in seventh place with 43 points, highlighting the tightly contested battle among the top teams as the season progresses.
Former CSKA Moscow forward Fedor Chalov also spoke about the upcoming derby against Spartak ahead of their clash in the 28th round of the Russian Premier League, underscoring the enduring interest and rivalry surrounding this regional showdown. chalov’s reflections came as clubs prepare for pivotal fixtures that could reshape the final table and the distribution of European spots for the next season.