Dynamo is back in the championship race! For the victory over Zenit, Lichka betrayed himself
Anatoly Romanov April 28, 2024, 21:25 Moscow time Audio version: Your browser does not support the audio element.
It was not the most spectacular game of the title contenders that decided another goal from Tyukavin.
“Dynamo” defeated “Zenith” and created even more intrigue in the championship race! The blue and white team reduced the difference with the Saint Petersburg team to just three points. And “Krasnodar”, if it wins on Sunday in Samara, will be two points ahead of Sergei Semak’s team.
Captain Douglas Santos returned to Zenit’s starting eleven after an injury. But the seemingly most important Brazilian for the team, Bitello, unexpectedly failed to break into the Dynamo team. For the first time since his debut with the blue and white in September 2023, the midfielder did not play from the first minutes. According to Marcel Lička, he felt that the player was tired.
One of the intrigues of this match was the confrontation between the two most productive players of the championship: Tyukavin and Cassierra. Dinamo could have scored a quick goal already in the 3rd minute, when they were practically one on one after a penetrating pass, but Zenit center back Nino, with a crazy and risky tackle, knocked the ball under the striker’s feet. In several more cases, the blue and white winter newcomer controlled Tyukavin’s movement well when he threw him into free space. It is clear that Zenit received a great defender in the person of the candidate for the Brazilian national team.
Analysis of the calendars of the RPL gold contenders:
Krasnodar has every chance to win the title! Their calendar is simpler than that of Zenit and Dynamo
Dinamo had several good episodes of pressure at the beginning of the match, which led, in particular, to the first shot of the match, due to a free kick by Chávez (after a terrible shot by Claudinho). But then Zenit gained a huge territorial advantage, which forced Lička’s team to sit quite far back in defense. In the first half, the champion controlled the ball 70% of the time. The statistical advantage of the Saint Petersburg team in terms of precise passes in the rival third is impressive: 123:35. However, the blue and whites, although they played football that was unusual for them, defended successfully. We maintained the organization and density required, effectively slowing the pace. Only the home team’s counterplay did not go well, as Zenit quickly recovered the ball.
As a result, the first half was practically even in terms of chances and shots. Zenit had the best chance to score after the set piece, when Cassierra shot low and Shunin shot. The St. Petersburg wingers, Artur and Mostovoy, actively acted on the half-wings between the lines, opening the flanks for the full-backs to join; In this sense, the return of Douglas Santos notably strengthened Zenit’s play in the positional offense. It’s just that Arthur still lacks subtle movements and Mostovoy’s legs often work faster than his thoughts.
After the break the game continued in the same vein. The fire was not lit by the championship contenders. Dinamo effectively eliminated the risk, even though Licka’s team needed a win to truly get back into the championship race. Zenit also failed to break down the blue and white defense. The first shot at the end of the hour came from inside the area from Arthur, who again opened up well between the lines. However, even in this episode, the winger could have made a better decision, as evidenced by his compatriot Wendel’s discontent with the Brazilian.
Only halfway through the second half did the game begin to open up. “Dynamo” managed several good attacks at high speed, including two thanks to Tyukavin, who played well in the play. Before that, Konstantin, as a rule, lost episodes to the defenders of Zenit, but here he caught the wave of him. Bitello added sharpness in the center after his appearance on the field. Semak responded with a triple change, although Karavaev left due to injury. Zenit opted for a 4-4-2 with Cassierra and Sergeev up front, who had to take advantage of the free spaces.
And in the 76th minute Dynamo scored! The goal brought a simple shot into the area, where Balbuena beat the younger Douglas Santos out of the air. The Zenit defenders left Tyukavin unprotected in the goalkeeper’s area and thus signed their own death sentence. The goal was controlled by VAR: there was no offside due to Alip’s position.
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Furthermore, Dinamo did not allow Zenit to organize a normal final assault. The current champion ended up losing in shots = 8:12, on goal – 1:4. A well-deserved victory for Lichki’s team, although the Muscovites had to sacrifice their football to some extent that night.
