Ural started the season once again targeting mid-table security and looking to establish themselves as a solid side that is staying well clear of the drop zone. The squad was kept relatively intact compared to last season and Aleksandr Tarkhanov had them well drilled and ready form the word go. Ural were one of the most solid and competitive sides in the first half of the season and actually lost just two games from the opening 16, away at top sides like Lokomotiv and Spartak. There was little of note in Ural's game plan, using a basic 4-2-3-1, but they were effective in the final third and had one of the more creative and gifted playmakers in the league in Eric Bicfalvi orchestrating their game. The back four was proving quite assured too, with the team conceding more than one goal in just two occasions in the first 15 games.
Yet they were drawing too many games and started to lose some of the early momentum as the season approached November and December. In fact, wins became quite rare and three losses in a quick span moved the team very much down the table as they went for a winter break. Tarkhanov managed to freshen the squad a bit in the spring but the style remained mostly predictable and it seemed like the Bumblebees were finding it harder to take teams by surprise. They earned a couple of important wins to keep their distance off the bottom four but were not quite out of danger as the season reached its final couple of games.
Then came a shocking home loss to local rivals Amkar in a six-pointer and this set up a dramatic last day of the season. Ural needed to avoid loss at Rostov to be certain of staying up. They lost 1:0 and stayed out of trouble by the skin of their teeth, only due of Amkar failing to win their last game. It was quite the close call at the end but Ural can look forward to another season in the top-flight as they hope for better fortunes.
