Rostov’s head coach Valery Karpin assessed his side’s showing in the clash with Spartak Moscow during the Winline RPL Winter Cup, a match broadcast by Match TV. His reflections offer a window into how the team approached the UAE-based tournament as it progresses through the winter slate.
He stated that the performance left him feeling proud in the end, noting that even a 3:0 victory can coexist with room for growth. The coach reminded that triumphs aren’t the sole measure of progress; a team can win sessions with a comfortable scoreline yet still feel there is potential to improve across the field. He recalled a previous encounter with Dinamo, where Rostov won 2:0, scoring twice but still finding opportunities to capitalize further. The message was clear: finish the chances more consistently, and the team’s attacking efficiency could rise even higher.
During the early stages, Karpin admitted his dissatisfaction with certain phases. He highlighted that the first 25 minutes presented a struggle, with defensive organization holding firm in Rostov’s own half, while other elements of the game failed to meet expectations. The emphasis was on sharpening the overall performance from the opening whistle through the later stages of each match.
The UAE-friendly meeting concluded with a convincing 3:0 victory for Rostov. The scoreline reflected goals from Evgeny Chernov, Nikolay Komlichenko, and Kirill Shchetinin, marking a strong showing for the squad as it builds momentum in the tournament. This result contributed to Rostov’s perfect record across their UAE assignments, reinforcing the team’s position at the top of the standings as they push through the winter calendar.
Rostov has already taken part in two fixtures in the UAE, delivering two wins and establishing a clear early lead in the group standings. Prior to the Spartak win, the squad had defeated the Emirati club Shabab Al-Ahli 3:1, underscoring the balance between solid defensive work and potent finishing in attack. The team’s performances in the tournament have helped calm nerves among supporters and shown a pathway to sustained success as they head toward the more competitive fixtures on the calendar.
Looking ahead, Spartak is scheduled to face Shabab Al-Ahli on February 9, while Rostov is set to meet Kazakhstan’s Kairat on February 11. These upcoming matchups will test Rostov’s growing cohesion and scoring threat, as well as Spartak’s ability to respond after their recent results. The Winline Winter RPL Cup, which crowned Spartak as its champion in 2023, continues to function as a key preparatory stage for teams seeking to sharpen form and build confidence before the regular season restarts. [Source: Match TV]
As the tournament unfolds, both Rostov and Spartak are using the UAE format to experiment with squad depth, tactical tweaks, and uninterrupted playing time. The experiences accrued in these winter matches are intended to translate into more consistent performances when the league resumes, offering teams valuable data on readiness, squad balance, and the capacity to convert chances in tighter scenarios. The Winline Winter RPL Cup remains a vital barometer for evaluating early-season readiness and form, with Rostov’s early results positioning them as one of the teams to watch on the road to the competitive phase of the calendar year.