Former Lokomotiv Moscow midfielder Dmitri Tarasov, forced to play at cnetre-back due to other injuries, scored just before half time to give Rubin Kazan the lead against Slovan Bratislava. Aleksandr Zuev completed a comfortable 2-1 win over the Slovakian side late on.

Four minutes before half time Tarasov sent a powerful header home from a corner. After 66 Slovan replied with a close-range equaliser, also from a corner, before Zuev finished from outside the penalty area from Kvaratskhelia’s assist with 10 minutes to go.

Tarasov has been without a club since last summer when his contract with Lokomotiv expired. During his time with the Railroaders he won the Russian Premier League title and two Russian Cups, and played a total of 188 games in nine and a half years.

Rubin have returned home for a short break, and will return to Turkey for the second of their three training camps on Wednesday 29 January.

Rubin 2-1 Slovan Bratislava
25 January, Belek, Turkey
Goals: Tarasov 41’, Zuev 79’

First half: Iv. Konovalov, Stepanov, Starfelt, Tarasov, Danchenko, Ig. Konovalov, Podberezkin, Kvaratskhelia, Jevtic, Davitashvili, Markov
Second half: Iv. Konovalov, Stepanov, Starfelt, Agapov, Samoshnikov, Zakirov, Bashkirov, Makarov, Zuev, Bakaev, Kvaratskhelia