The 2020–21 season was FC Rostov's 91st season in existence and the club's 12th consecutive season in the top flight of Russian football. In addition to the domestic league, Rostov participated in this season's editions of the Russian Cup and the UEFA Europa League. The season covers the period from 1 August 2020 to 30 June 2021. Rostov finished the season in 9th place, reached the Round of 16 of the Russian Cup, and where knocked out of the UEFA Europa League at the third round stage.
On 20 August, Rostov announced that Saeid Ezatolahi had left the club to sign for Vejle,[6] and that Aleksandr Saplinov had Rotor Volgograd on a season-long loan deal, with Rostov retaining the possibility of recalling Saplinov during the winter transfer window.[7]
On 18 September, Rostov's game against Rotor Volgograd was postponed due to a COVID-19 outbreak within the Rotor Volgograd squad.[10] On 22 September, Rostov were awarded a 3-0 technical victory over Rotor Volgograd.[11]
On 14 October, Rostov announced that Pavlovets would be completing his transfer from Dynamo Brest before the end of the current Russian transfer window.[17] The follow day, 15 October, Aleksei Ionov left the club to sign permanently for Krasnodar,[18]Dmitri Chistyakov moved to Zenit St.Petersburg on loan for the remainder of the season with an option for Zenit to make the deal permanent.[19] On the same day, Denis Terentyev returned to Rostov on a permanent deal from Zenit,[20]Pontus Almqvist joined on a five-year contract from IFK Norrköping,[21] as did Armin Gigović from Helsingborgs IF on a similar deal.[22]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Note: Match originally scheduled for 19 September, but postponed on 18 September due to a COVID-19 within the Rotor squad.[10] Rostov awarded a 3-0 technical victory on 22 September.[11]
^ ab"Спасибо за все, Элдор!". fc-rostov.ru/ (in Russian). FC Rostov. 1 October 2020. Archived from the original on 17 October 2020. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
^ abcd"Али Соу — игрок Ростова". fc-rostov.ru/ (in Russian). FC Rostov. 16 February 2021. Archived from the original on 16 February 2021. Retrieved 16 February 2021.