Moscow's FC Rodina has achieved a historic milestone, securing promotion to the Russian Premier League (RPL) for the first time in the club's history. The decisive moment came following a 2-0 victory against Chelyabinsk in a 33rd-round match of the Liga Pari, the second tier of Russian football.
Head coach Juan Dias was visibly emotional after the final whistle. In his post-match comments, he expressed the profound personal significance of the achievement. "It's very difficult to describe what I'm feeling, there are so many emotions. I'm far from my family, it's hard to describe what's happening inside," Dias stated. His thoughts immediately turned to his loved ones, adding, "The only thing I want is to hug my family, my wife, my children, my uncle, my aunt. They have suffered and deserved this victory. I am happy."
The coach also touched on the immediate future, noting that while the team would celebrate, it would be a modest affair. "We have been promoted to the RPL, we certainly won't be talking about football now. How will we celebrate? We'll think of something, obviously without alcohol, maybe one beer. But today is a day to enjoy," he remarked.
This promotion marks the culmination of a remarkable season for Rodina. The team currently sits at the top of the First League table with 65 points from 33 matches. They are level on points with second-placed Fakel, but hold a superior position due to other league criteria. Ural and Rotor occupy the third and fourth spots with 58 and 52 points, respectively.
The achievement is particularly sweet given the club's recent history. In the 2022/2023 season, Rodina fell agonizingly short of promotion, losing to Pari Nizhny Novgorod in the playoff matches with an aggregate score of 2-3. This year, the team left nothing to chance, clinching the promotion spot directly.
Coach Dias concluded his emotional press conference by looking ahead to the challenge of the top flight. "Let's see what the RPL level is like," he said, signaling the club's readiness to test itself against Russia's elite. The promotion represents a new chapter for Rodina, a club now set to make its debut in the country's premier football competition.
Based on reporting from Чемпионат.com.