Athletistic/Football. Dynamo after the winter break was considered one of the candidates for gold. The team looked more than worthy and counted on medals. However, after three consecutive defeats, Marcel Lička’s team fell to 3rd place with a significant gap. But Dynamo managed to catch up and return to the championship race.

Zenit, which had already won the RPL five times in a row, is again considered the main contender for gold. In the second part of the season, Sergei Semak’s team caught up with Krasnodar, who had started in the lead, and took first place. However, after a sensational defeat against Rubin, Zenit’s position began to shake. In Moscow, Semak’s team needed a positive result, otherwise the St. Petersburg team risked losing leadership.

From the start of the match, the hosts were heading towards the opposing goal. Fomin turned well and made a penetrating pass into the penalty area, Nino knocked the ball under Tyukavin’s feet during a tackle.

Soon Tyukavin accelerated along the right flank and made a pass into the penalty area under Chavez’s shot – the ball flew over the crossbar.

Then came Zenit’s response. Claudinho crossed gently from the free kick, Cassierra collected the rebound and fired into the bottom corner – Shunin hitting the ball sideways as it fell. Midway through the first half, Zenit had an overwhelming advantage in ball possession – 70% to 30%.

Douglas connected on the flank and crossed to the center of the penalty area! Cassierra shot from the fight – the ball, after a bounce, flew towards a corner.

As a result, after 45 minutes the match was tied 0:0. Zenit controlled the territory and rolled the ball for a long time in the opponent’s half, but only Cassierra’s shot can be highlighted. Dynamo defended itself with significant forces and tried to respond with rapid counterattacks.

At the start of the second half, the visitors launched a rapid attack. Mostovoy made a penetrating pass into the penalty area – Marichal placed his body and did not allow Wendel to reach the ball.

Then, Chávez crossed the free kick into the far corner of the goalkeeper’s box. Balbuena ran and shot from the fight – the ball fell into the hands of Kerzhakov.

In the 62nd minute, Skopintsev connected on the left flank, slipped between two opponents and shot from a tight angle. The ball hit the net from outside. A little later, Tyukavin put his body in an excellent position and made a pass to the left flank, Ngamalyo gently crossed towards the goalkeeper, but Konstantin did not have time to reach the ball.

And in the 76th minute, Dynamo managed to score. Carrascal crossed the penalty area in an arc, Balbuena won the fight against Douglas and made a pass into the goalkeeper’s goal – Tyukavin received the ball and pushed it past Kerzhakov. It’s the end of the central match of the tour!

Zenit needed to do something urgently. Semak made a double substitution. Isidore and Pedro replaced Barrios and Cassierra.

However, Zenit had no chance. In stoppage time, Claudinho made a deep pass, counting on Sergeev’s breakthrough! Shunin came out of the goal in time and intercepted the ball. Dynamo ultimately took the match to victory.

Interestingly, Dynamo beat Zenit twice in an RPL season for the first time in history. Also in the 2023/24 Russian Cup, the Blue and Whites beat the St. Petersburg team on their home field.

Well, the championship intrigue is alive. Dynamo has found success and is back in the race for gold. The end of the season promises to be fiery.

Marcel Lička’s team has scored 47 points after 26 matches and is in third place in the RPL standings. Zenit suffered a second defeat in a row and remained at the top of the championship with 50 points after the same number of matches. However, second-placed Krasnodar (49 points) has a game in hand.

Sunday April 28. Russian Championship. 26th round

“Dynamo” (Moscow) – “Zenit” (St. Petersburg) – 1:0 (0:0)

Aim: Tioukavine, 76 years old

Andrey Andreev, Sport.Ru



Athletistic