Former Dynamo player and ex-manager Anatoliy Demyanenko told us who he would single out among Kyiv's players in the Champions League qualifying round 3 match, in which the Ukrainian club defeated Rangers 2-0 to advance to the next round:
- I felt that Dynamo did a good job of correcting the mistakes made a week ago in the first match in Lublin. First of all, it is about playing in defense. I remember that in Poland, Rangers - especially at the end of the match - seriously dominated the second floor.
In the return match, this was no longer noticeable. I explain this by the fact that Kyiv's fullbacks, with the help of the midfielders, were already meeting the hosts higher, creating difficulties for them with flank passes and targeted passes.
Secondly, the stops Popov and Mykhavko acted almost without mistakes, who not only coped with their direct duties but also started offensive operations well. In my opinion, they, as well as goalkeeper Bushchan and midfielder Pikhalenok, who came on as a substitute, were the best in Dynamo.
- Until the 51st minute, when the teams played in equal strength, Dynamo hardly threatened the home team's possession. Why didn't you get any offensive actions?
- Apparently, there was a desire, first of all, not to concede. Kyiv succeeded, and the Scots even created fewer chances at home than in Lublin. Why did the visitors fail to get ahead? There were problems with the transition from defense to attack, and the hosts had time to rebuild.
- In your opinion, was the second yellow card to the home team's Brazilian legionnaire fair?
- 50/50. It was the referee's decision, and when he punished the Brazilian, he had no doubt in his rightness. Perhaps, if a Dynamo player had been sent off in a similar situation, we would also consider this decision controversial.
- The hosts, even in the minority, with the support of the stands, continued to dictate the terms.
- In such circumstances, fresh performers had to break the deadlock. The manager Oleksandr Shovkovsky did not lose, putting on the field, first of all, Pikhalenko and Voloshin. The former added meaningfulness to the actions of our midfielders, and the latter - speed.
The home goalkeeper, apparently, did not know that Pikhalenok is not only not afraid to take over the game, but also has a well-placed shot. Oleksandr's shot from outside the penalty area caught him by surprise.
And then there was an exemplary combination involving Shaparenko and Voloshyn, and the game could already be closed. As for me, Dynamo deservedly made it further, at least in Lublin and Glasgow they created more goal-scoring chances.
Andriy Pysarenko