Football Season Guide

After a difficult start to last season, Rostov turned their form around and finished in mid-table. Head coach Valeriy Karpin returned late on to change their fortunes and secure successive ninth place finishes in the Russian Premier League. Daniil Utkin has joined the side from Krasnodar and he impressed on loan at Akhmat Grozny last season, scoring nine goals in the league. He seems like he could be a strong signing and will likely start from the off. Kirill Shchetinin has joined permanently from Zenit after an impressive loan spell last season. Evgeni Chernov has joined the side on loan from Krasnodar to bolster their defensive options. Mathias Normann returns to the side following his loan move to then-Premier League side Norwich. He may depart later this summer, however. Rostov will also welcome the returns of a host of loan players, including that of Danila Prokhin who did well out on loan at Sochi last term. Even without Normann, Rostov have good strength and depth in midfield. Rostov were able to sign forward Nikolay Komlichenko from Dinamo Moscow on a permanent deal, following his loan move last season, and he is expected to lead the line. Pontus Almqvist heads out on loan once again here. There seems to be no clear additions up top so there could be some more room to maneuver later in the summer. Rostov have a mixed start to the season and are likely to be in and around mid-table once again here, unless Karpin can produce a strong season like in 2020 where they finished fifth.