Former goalkeeper Anzor Kavazashvili weighs in on Rostov’s late-season struggle in the Russian Premier League
Former Spartak Moscow and USSR national team goalkeeper Anzor Kavazashvili offered his analysis of Rostov’s disappointing finish in the final stretch of the Russian Premier League season. He noted that a string of tough results surfaced as the club fought to close out the campaign, with the team finding it difficult to maintain consistency when resources and depth were tested toward the end of the schedule.
In the 28th round, Rostov faced a heavy defeat, conceding three goals to Krasnodar. This result reflected a broader pattern during the closing phase of the season, where the squad struggled to string together positive performances. Kavazashvili emphasized the challenge of competing with a limited squad, where the absence of interchangeable options hurt the team’s ability to rotate and sustain pressure over successive matches. He also acknowledged that younger players displayed promise, suggesting that their continued development could pay dividends in future campaigns.
When asked about Valery Karпin, Kavazashvili offered a measured appraisal. He said Karпin is a capable coach, though not the finest in his view. His assessment centered on the trophy count as a key metric of coaching success. While Karпin has shown tactical acumen and leadership, the lack of major silverware to date keeps the conversation open about his ultimate standing among peers in the league.
Rostov entered the penultimate rounds with a 50-point tally, sitting in fourth place. The team then failed to secure a win in four consecutive matches, recording one draw and three defeats as they approached the final rounds. The next league fixture pits Rostov against Akhmat Grozny, a clash that will determine whether the club can salvage a higher finish or settle for their current standing as the season winds down.
As the title race and European qualification spots take shape, Rostov finds itself in the company of heavyweights such as Spartak Moscow and CSKA Moscow, who sit slightly ahead with 53 and 54 points respectively. The season’s final round will see Rostov up against the army club, testing their resolve in a high-stakes encounter that could influence perception of the team’s trajectory for the coming year.
Former Russian coach Igor Shalimov also weighed in, stating that Rostov had exhausted its internal resources during this campaign. The sentiment echoed a broader assessment that the club faced structural and depth-related challenges that became evident as the calendar year drew to a close. Opinions from pundits across the scene reflect a mix of optimism about young players and realism about what it will take to translate potential into sustained results on the Russian top flight stage. [Citation: RB Sports]