SC Dnipro-1 made its debut in European competition with a 1:2 defeat from the Cypriot AEK. Sport Arena evaluates the coaching debut of Oleksandr Kucher at the continental level, analyzing the game of his wards
“AEK? Solid! ”, Most of the acquaintances reacted to the lot. And then they called back: “Ah-ah, this is not the same AEK …”. It turned out it was the one. The Cypriot vice-champion played very solidly in Kosice, inflicting a sensational defeat on Dnipro-1 in the debut European Cup match. What did the team led by Kucher show and how did they close the door to the Europa League? And whether to prepare suitcases for the League of Conferences? The Sport Arena is being dismantled.
- Max Valef – 5.0
>> Trouble with this Waleth. Of course, his epic flight to the corner of Gustav Ledes will remain in his memory. There were a few more moments when Max played not even carelessly, but clumsily. However, in addition to furious and intelligible mistakes, the Brazilian made eight saves, including coped with the blows of Gyurcho, Gama and other opponents aimed at the goal. It’s even hard to imagine what the legionnaire will need to produce in the second leg in order to rehabilitate himself for such a start.
- Vladimir Tanchik – 5.5
>> Let’s start with the fact that Tanchik, as a flank defender, is such an extreme, forced measure. Of course, it was difficult for the short winger after the back passes and interruptions. Vladimir played unsuccessfully at the moment with the first goal, when Englezu cheated him and assisted Altman. Several times I did not have time to go back, because of which lone rivals remained in front of Valef. Tanchik ran willingly to connect, but he also could not bring the matter to a productive aggravation.
- Vladimir Adamyuk – 5.5
>> It was a tough match to defend the Dnipro team, Lopez, Altman and especially Gyurcho felt quite free right in front of the gates of Valef. We can’t praise Adamyuk for the game in general, but at least he “brought” troubles and troubles less than others. Tried to act tighter, tougher. I was looking for an opportunity to defuse the situation with an interception or a won fight.
- Alexander Svatok – 5.0
>> Goal-it’s good, but it’s not an indulgence for a defender in his direct work. And Svatok played a failure in defense, as can be seen from both goals. In the episode with the first goal, he rushed towards Engles, did not prevent him from shooting, and Altman, who was left, opened the scoring. When Valef flew at the corner, Svatok in the fight against Milicevic just cut into his own net. Well, yes – a goalkeeper’s blunder, but an own goal from a defender.
- Gabriel Busanello – 5.5
>> There were big questions in the defensive game, Rosales and Faray repeatedly broke through Gabriel’s flank, which led to big trouble. Let’s remember the moment when Gyurcho on the corner of the goalkeeper shot the gate with his head. A little better on the attack – Busanello was a participant in several sharp attacks from Dnepr-1 at once, he himself punched hard from a sharp corner at the beginning of the second half. Once optionally released the ball for a corner.
- Eduard Sarapiy – 5.0
>> The young midfielder, who until recently played in the lower leagues, did a fairly large amount of rough work, but in the second half he earned two yellow cards, leaving Dnepr-1 in the minority for the last moments of the match. And, most importantly, he will not be able to play in the second leg, where the Dnipro team really needs the help of a defensive midfielder.
- Alexander Pikhalenok – 5.5
>> After a bright start in the exhibition matches of the national team, the designer of the Dnepr-1 game received special attention, but it was not possible to fully justify it. In some places Pikhalenok was at the level, as when he successfully connected Purita to the attack in the first half or gave out several potentially sharp passes to his wingers. But in general, except for the assist after the corner under the historical debut goal of Svatok, it was not the best match for Alexander.
- Igor Kohut – 5.0 << 46' 11. Gromov
>> At the 16th minute, when Altman opened the scoring, Kohut could have prevented this – he had to play more carefully in case of an unsuccessful reception from the opponent and defuse the situation, but the Israeli allowed himself several steps at once at the gate and had time to shoot them. Later, playing higher of the three center halves, he was not marked by activity, which the team really needed.
- Emiliano Purita – 5.5 << 61' 29. Nazarenko
>> Argentine newcomer tried, but could not excel. This is it, when Dnipro-1 was already “burning” 0:2, after a thin pass, Pikhalenka did not hit the goal from a distance. Later, he shot well at Dovbik, the pass could theoretically become an assist. But in general, Purita has not yet joined the game of Dnipro, and it is even surprising that it was he who came out from the start, and not the same Nazarenko, who was an old-timer of the team and played more at the training camp.
- Domingo Blanco – 5.5
>> It can be seen that the Argentine still needs time to adapt. Sometimes, together with Busanello, he seriously enlivened the game and fired a long-range shot at the goal of Tumpas. Several times the opponents were forced to foul against Domingo, including at the cost of a yellow card for Casas.
- Artem Dovbik – 5.5
>> It is clear that AEK should have kept Dovbik more, because this name became known after Euro 2020, and at the time of the suspension of last season, Artem was in the lead in the list of UPL scorers. And it must be admitted that the defense of the Cypriots largely coped with this task. Dovbik rarely got out of custody, and did not convert two chances at the beginning of the second half.
Substitutions
- Kohut 46′ >> 11. Artem Gromov – 6.5
>> Well, that’s what an experienced beginner means. Gromov significantly revived the game, could score in the first attack after the break, then loaded into the crossbar, and only four times ended up in shock positions. With him, Dovbik played much more confidently, having received support.
- Purita 61′ >> 29. Alexander Nazarenko – 5.5
>> Laudably tried to revive the game, passed through the flank several times, earning standards, gave the transfer to Gromov and tried to break through himself. In order to save the match, this was not enough.
Source: Sportarena
