Former Manchester United star Andrei Kanchelskis recently weighed in on Rostov’s chances to finish in second place in the current Russian Premier League season, a topic that drew attention from Sport Express. His remarks signal not just optimism for Rostov’s campaign but also a broader conversation about how teams jostle for European qualification spots amid a tightly contested table.
He noted, with a mix of realism and fan sentiment, that it would be wonderful for Rostov to clinch second in the RPL. The race for the top position, he suggested, is already tough and well understood by everyone at the table. What matters most to fans, he added, is the drama of facing heavyweight clubs like CSKA, Spartak, and Dynamo Moscow and the opportunity to taste victory against them. He hinted at a personal twist to the mix: if Rostov ends up in second place, he would be genuinely happy because of longstanding disagreements with Spartak supporters, which would add extra color to the season’s narrative.
In the latest round preceding Rostov’s standings-move, the team faced Khimki in a late-20s clash and secured a narrow 1–0 victory. The decisive moment came when Maxim Osipenko struck the winning goal in the 18th minute, albeit with a touch that came off a calculated set-piece. The sequence started when defender Brian Idov earned a penalty, a decision that gave striker Nikolay Komlichenko the chance to convert from the spot and set Rostov on their path to three points. The win underscored Rostov’s tactical discipline and added to the momentum under Valery Karpin’s leadership as the season progressed.
Following that result, Rostov climbed to 41 points, solidifying their hold on second place in the Russian championship standings. The gap behind Zenit, who led with 48 points, remained five points clear at the top, while Spartak Moscow trailed closely in third with 40 points. The table painted a vivid picture of a season characterized by competitive balance, with Rostov, Spartak, and the rest contending fiercely for European spots and prestige alike. The dynamics of the campaign suggested a tense run-in, where every fixture could redefine the order of power among Russia’s big clubs and those chasing them.
Artur Grigoryants, a former chair of the Control and Disciplinary Committee of the Russian Football Union, commented on procedural matters tied to the league’s calendar. He indicated that the federation would review the involvement of PARI NN midfielder Yaroslav Mihaylov in the RPL’s 20th round Torpedo match if a formal protest were filed. His remarks highlighted the league’s ongoing vigilance regarding eligibility and compliance during match weeks, underscoring how administrative decisions can intersect with on-pitch drama and the race for standings. The conversation around Mihaylov’s eligibility reflected broader concerns about governance, fairness, and the integrity of competition that fans and clubs alike monitor as the season unfolds.