Every out of three spring encounters has provided Yuriy Semin food for thought. The opening match vs. Dnipro revealed Dynamo are best when leaving the initiative to the contender and playing on the counterattacks. Things are different when opponents prefer to play defensively, with sometimes 10 stoppers and a goalie not abandoning the area. The scenario is typical for Dynamo’s games on home ground in domestic competitions. The Cup match against Metalurh Donetsk will doubtlessly be a continuation to a series.
What makes Yuriy Semin’s coaching approach different from that of his predecessors is a regular squad, both in friendly and official games. A player is likely to be omitted only when sidelined by an injury. This was the case with Taras Mykhalyk and Ismaël Bangoura, who did not appear against Metalurh Zaporizhya and Karpaty, respectively. Ukrainians Oleh Doplika and Artem Kravets, along with Serb Miloš Ninković featured in the starting XI in the three straight games. Previously, the first two had to contend themselves playing for reserves, whilst the Serb, although a first-team player, was able to book a regular place only this year.
Yuriy Semin will have to replace Ghioane in the midfield, who incurred an ankle injury in the game vs. Karpaty. He may be substituted by Ayila Yussuf, who is no stranger at the position of a defending midfielder. Taras Mykhalyk will be then supposedly paired with Pape Diakhaté in the central defense.
Ismaël Bangoura, who was out of action this weekend because of an ankle injury, is speeding up his recovery. The prolific striker has been in individual training for ten days and should be on the mend by Sunday’s game against Krybas. Ismaël, however, has some different plans to build: “It is a great thing we pulled off a victory in a most strenuous encounter against Karpaty. We now have to continue our winning streak. If my foot does not bother me, I am ready to play against Metalurh. I can not live without football!” The decision whether or not the Guinean will appear tonight will made closer to the game.
Ukrainian Cup. Semi-final. First leg
Dynamo vs. Metalurh Z
Mar 19, 2008
Kyiv, Dynamo Lobanovskyy Stadium
Kick-off: 19.00
Live coverage: Pershyy Natsionalnyy (First National Channel)
www.fcdynamo.kiev.ua
