Column by Serhiy Tyshchenko. What to do with the defense of Dynamo?

The match against Ingulec turned out to be very easy for Dynamo. Oleksandr Shovkovskyi’s team had no problems against one of the weakest teams in the UPL. What was most disappointing was the two conceded goals. A few times in the penalty area of Heorhiy Bushchan there were “fires”, especially during cross passes.

Oleksandr Shovkovskyi. Photo — Yu. Yuriyev

I believe that the defense is currently the weakest link of Dynamo. It was the unreliable defense that did not allow the Kyivans to break through to the main stage of the Champions League. As subsequent matches showed, Salzburg is a very mediocre team. First of all, it is necessary to play reliably in defense against them. This was shown in the Champions League matches against Sparta and Dynamo Zagreb. If the defense had played reliably against Salzburg, it is Dynamo that would be playing in the Champions League.

The problems of Dynamo in defense have subjective and objective reasons.

Objective. The center of defense requires coordination. During the summer training camp, the pair of Popov-Dyachuk was played out. Unfortunately, Maksym got injured in the Champions League qualification match against Partizan. Since the beginning of the season, the team has not had a main pair of defenders. Changes in the center of defense occur in almost every match. Players simply do not have time to coordinate with each other. When the qualification of the players is low, coordination plays a significant role. The correct combination is needed—more of a physical player and a technical one.

Subjective. Each of the available Dynamo defenders has problems. Potential defense leader Denys Popov has already had two injuries since the beginning of the season. Maksym Dyachuk missed quite a bit due to a collarbone injury. The newcomer to the team, Brian Ceballos, had some injury at the beginning of the season and needed adaptation. In the match against Lazio, he got injured, and then there was a relapse. Therefore, they are playing those whom were not counted on as main players since the beginning of the season—Taras Mykhavko, Kriystian Bilovar. Even Navin Malysh came on in Poltava. Not everyone can cope with the required level and pressure. Mykhavko has already scored three own goals, “gave away” a penalty in Rome. I understand that he is a young player, but he is not mentally ready to play in the first team of Dynamo yet. Circumstances have led to him playing. Perhaps Oleksandr Shovkovskyi would have let him rest, but there is no alternative.

The problems in defense are the main task for the winter transfer window. Defensive reliability is a significant argument in the fight for such a coveted championship. There are no internal reserves to strengthen the center of defense. And there are no players in the youth team who could strengthen this position. In the UPL, there might be Bohdan Slyubik, but he hasn’t played in the first part of the season due to injury. Plus, Rukh does not sell cheap. Therefore, the international market remains.

Unfortunately, there is no progress with the available defenders. Popov continues to end up in the infirmary from time to time. He is the oldest player in Dynamo with the most experience, who should be the chief of defense. Dyachuk has gained experience at the UPL level, but I do not see where he has progressed. The strong points (physical struggle) remain strong points, while the weak points (tactical preparation, ball work) have not gone anywhere. The same goes for Mykhavko—he is very good with the ball, initiating attacks, but problems with reliability, loss of concentration, and physical struggle have not gone anywhere. Taras lacks stability. A significant advantage of Mykhavko is that he can still progress further. His age allows it. From Ceballos, we expected a real strengthening of the game, but so far, he does not look stronger than the available players. The arrival of the Colombian has not made Dynamo stronger, neither in quantity nor in quality. It seems inappropriate to demand something from Bilovar or Malysh, who started the season in the hierarchy as the 4−5 central defenders in the team system.

Therefore, it is necessary to think not only about transfers for incoming players to strengthen the defense but also to say goodbye to those who do not live up to expectations or are unable to progress.

Serhiy TYSHCHENKO