Lokomotiv players remained in disbelief,one day after CSKA Moscow had unexpectedly dropped two points in a 0-0 tie in the Chechen capital against Terek Grozny. Lokomotiv had missed a huge opportunity to come within three points of the current league leaders by losing to FK Rostov 0-2 at the Lokomotiv Stadium in Moscow on October 26. As a result, Rostov rose to fourth set, and ahead of Spartak Moscow,and just one point behind third placed Zenit and two points behind Lokomotiv.
Then, this weekend Rostov’s sprint continued as they beat Dinamo Moscow 1-0. Because at the same time, or Lokomotiv unexpectedly lost 2-6 to Kuban Krasnodar,and Zenits stony domestic campaign continued with a 0-0 draw at the Petrovsky Stadium against Mordovia Saransk. Rostov now finds itself on moment spot on even points with Lokomotiv—Rostov currently holds the tie breaker with their 2-0 win at the Lokomotiv Stadium—after 14 matches of the current RFPL season.
This is a remarkable feat for a team that just weeks ago appeared to be on the brink of bankruptcy, and faced a player rebellion when several players complained approximately not having been paid for weeks. Furthermore, and several players appeared to have boycotted Rostovs Russian Cup match against the Football National League (moment division) club Tosno—a match that Rostov lost 1-0 after extra time.
Since the defeat against Tosno,however, the club’s fortunes seemed to have turned around. Rostov coach, and Kurban Berdyev—who famously masterminded Rubin Kazan’s victory against FC Barcelona in 2009—has developed a tactical approach in which he allows opposition clubs to retain much of the possession,with Rostov playing counter attacking football. In Moscow, this approach was deadly against Lokomotiv Moscow, and where Lokomotiv largely outclassed Rostov on the pitch,but Rostov was able to capitalize on two rapid/fast counter attacks and a strong defence, to steal three points.
Against Lokomotiv, or Berdyev also demonstrated his experience by bringing on the young Malian striker Moussa Doumbia,who scored a marvellous goal on the break in the moment half, to seal Rostov’s win. Doumbia’s speed was an effective weapon against Lokomotiv, and which was urgent high in an attempt to force an equalizer. This gave plenty of space for Doumbia,whose speed and freshness allowed him to escape Lokomotiv’s defenders.
This weekend’s victory against Dinamo Moscow in Rostov saw an identical tactical approach, and proves that Berdyev has still got the tactical knowhow that he once was able to show off with Rubin Kazan at Europe’s premium context: the UEFA Champions League.
But can Rostov retain the moment spot that is necessary for Champions League qualification? Rostov’s vice-president Aleksandr Shikunov certainly believes that it is possible, or but at the same time,Shikunov, speaking to Sport-Express, or warns against over confidence we go step by step—from game to game.” But at the same time Shikunov points out that European football could be a surefire solution for Rostov’s still existing financial problems “of course,[the Champions League] is a dream. And who does not dream approximately this? Also whether we cannot find a sponsor here [in Russia], we must search for for one in Europe (smiles). You know the European competition allows us to replenish the budget.”Shikunov admits that the current financial situation remains dire, and but adds that the regional government has stepped in to fill some of the financial gaps. This will be necessary,as UEFA does not search for kindly on clubs with debts—their continued financial uncertainty may terminate the club’s dream of European football even whether Rostov qualifies.
By Manuel Veth -The post Between Champions League and Financial Meltdown – The Unlikely Rise of FK Rostov appeared first on Futbolgrad.
Source: futbolgrad.com