The White-Blues suffered 3:0 defeat away within the Ukrainian Premier League matchday 9. Still a lot has changed since then.
Metalist vs circumstances
Before the winter break key players’ opposition between Kyivans and Kharkiv side was the duel of Khacheridi and Devic, but both of them won’t take the field in the forthcoming match. Yevhen has picked up an injury and Marco has been signed by FC Rubin Kazan. Thus home side will struggle no only against Dynamo, but also against their own problems.
Other Metalist losses are also very notable. The head coach of the team Myron Markevych has surrendered the office, Jose Sosa and Jaja Coelho have left Kharkiv, Moledo is reconditioning after injury.
Good news for Metalist is the return of Alejandro Gomez. Still it’s questionable whether he’s ready for the game.
It’s also important that Metalist will play at their home arena. They are invincible in Kharkiv this season.
Homeniuk vs Vida
Metalist have problems with attacking players. Actually caretaker manager Ihor Rakhaev has only one forward at the moment – Volodymyr Homeniuk.
Volodymyr’s main drawback is lack of game practice. He was a benchwarmer as Marco Devic featured for the Yellow-Blues. His play against FC Hoverla Uzhhorod wasn’t really impressive. Still Homeniuk is rather experienced. He became SC Tavria Simferopol first team regular when he was 19 years old. He was even called up to Ukraine national team.
On September 2 2013 Volodymyr was signed by FC Metalist Kharkiv.
Homeniuk isn’t tall, but he has no problems with headwork. Anyway he’ll need wingers’ support as Metalist face Dynamo.
Speaking about Kyivans, it should be mentioned that centre back Yevhen Khacheridi will skip the game.
In this situation a lot will depend upon Aleksandar Dragovic and Domagoj Vida.
Croatian defender played confidently against FC Metalurh Zaporizhia, but the game against Metalist will be a real challenge for him.
Coaches’ duel
Metalist caretaker manager Ihor Rakhaev is doing his best to help the team finish this season worthy.
Following the result of Kharkiv side home match against FC Hoverla Uzhhorod (1:1), it can be said that the Yellow-Blues physical conditions leave much to be desired.
As for Oleh Blokhin, many specialists state that the game against FC Metalist Kharkiv and the following week in general will be determinative for his team.
At the moment the White-Blues are lacking only two points behind the UPL leader FC Shakhtar Donetsk and it’s a good opportunity for many Dynamo stars to approve themselves.
Anyway there’s no doubt that we’ll see exciting cup match which will be a test for both sides.
Svitlana Poliakova
