Rough week for Rostov

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Krasnodar – FC Rostov made their debut in UEFA Champions League group play earlier this week when they were hammered by German giants Bayern Munich in Bavaria but they quickly had to regroup and get ready for an away fixture against FC Krasnodar on 18 September.

Spanish defender Cesar Navas put Rostov in front in the 10th minute on a goal assisted by Belarusian midfielder Timofei Kalachev.

The score remained 1-0 until the 87th minute when newly acquired Brazilian defender Naldo equalized for Krasnodar.

Three minutes later the home side were awarded a penalty kick and Fyodor Smolov converted to give Krasnodar an unlikely 2-1 victory in front of their home fans.

Iranian striker Sardar Azmoun did not start in this match but came on in the 58th minute to replace Moussa Doumbia. Fellow TM member Saeid Ezatolahi was on the bench for Rostov but did not make an appearance.

Rostov were stunned in what definitely has not been a good week that began with a 5-0 loss against Bayern Munich on 13 September.

Goals from Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Mueller gave Bayern a 2-0 lead at the half. A brace from Joshua Kimmich and a goal from Juan Bernat in the second half completed the route.

Azmoun started in the match against Bayern but was subbed out four minutes after the hour mark for Romanian midfielder Andrei Prepelita.

Rostov currently sit in the eighth position in the Russian Premier League with ten points after seven matches played. Last season’s runners up will be looking to get back on track when they host Lokomotiv Moscow on 24 September.