“Karpin squeezes the maximum out of Rostov, but the possibilities are limited” – Sergey Balakhnin

Former Rostov head coach Sergei Balakhnin commented on the unsuccessful performance of Rostov at the Winline RPL Winter Cup.

Valery Karpin’s team played a draw in regular time with Spartak and lost to him on penalties (0:0, 1–2), and then was defeated by Sochi (0:3) and Krasnodar (0:4).

– What can be the panic when preparing for the season? But seven goals conceded means something. There is time for a fix. In previous matches, Rostov showed that he can play. And they deserve to play better than they do now, – Balakhnin is quoted by RB Sport.

– An unsuccessful performance at the RPL Winter Cup is a signal to the leadership of Rostov that reinforcement is needed?

“It has been needed for a long time. In my opinion, Rostov squeezed the maximum out of what this team could potentially do. Strengthening in all lines would not hurt. They had one stable line – this is defense. In the middle of the field, we need to act more constructively, maybe, for a change, add some high-speed players in front. To do this, you need to talk with the head coach, what he needs.

– Karpin’s contract with Rostov is valid until May 2026. Should he be worried about his place if his team fails again in the spring?

“Maybe he should not worry, but grow further. Rostov has a very good team. Here we must pay tribute to Karpin, who squeezes the maximum out of her, but they are limited.

– Karpin has been with Rostov since December 2017. During this time, he left him only for six months, when he focused on the Russian team. Has Karpin exhausted himself in Rostov?

How can he exhaust himself? If there is an influx of better players to Rostov, then we can make more demands on the coach. And now they are doing the best they can.

After 17 rounds, Rostov takes 3rd place in the RPL WORLD with 35 points. The Yellow-Blues will resume playing in the Russian Championship on March 4 with a home match against Lokomotiv. Rostov also continues to play in the FONBET Cup of Russia. On February 22 and 27, he will play with Ural in the ¼ finals of the RPL path.

The Russian football season will resume on February 22 with FONBET Russian Cup matches. On March 3, the WORLD RPL draw will continue. Watch live broadcasts of RPL matches and the Cup of the country on the Match TV federal channel and the thematic channels of the holding, as well as on matchtv.ru and sportbox.ru websites.