Style and philosophy
Dynamo Kyiv game style has changed rapidly as Oleh Blokhin headed the team. The White and Blues started playing attacking football. Fast counterattacks have also become Kyivans’ weapon.
There is a good balance between foreign and Ukrainian players.
Blokhin’s Kharkiv opponent Myron Markevych mostly counts on Latin Americans. There are six Argentineans and six Brazilians on Metalist players’ list.
It’s very important for them to gain possession in the midfield. In such case they can choose any vector for their attacks.
Space is vital for the White and Blues. Dynamo defenders are capable of long straight passes and one shouldn’t be skeptical about Yarmolenko’s, Husiev’s and Ideye’s technical skills.
Yarmolenko – Azevedo
Dynamo winger plays very confidently this spring. He has already scored four goals in the second part of the season. Yarmolenko is one of the leaders of the team.
There’s no doubt that Andriy’s opposition with Metalist left back Marcio Azevedo will be the key one as Kyivans face Kharkiv side on May 4.
Brazilian newcomer has made only six appearances for Metalist but he is already one of the best defenders in Ukrainian Premier League.
First of all Azevedo is very fast and enduring. As all Brazilians he also has good technical skills.
Haruna – Xavier
It looks like Dynamo Nigerian halfback Lukman Haruna has adapted to his new team at last. The beginning of this year is one of the best periods in his career. He is one of the key halfbacks in Blokhin’s tactical scheme.
Haruna scored his first goal for Dynamo right before the winter break. In the second part of the season he has already scored against FC Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih, FC des Girondins de Bordeaux and twice against FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk.
As for Metalist, their key player this spring is Cleiton Xavier. He has earned 10 points for Kharkiv side with his goals.
The 30-year-old halfback has a good shot from any distance.
Spring statistics and revolutionary situation
After the winter break both teams have played eight games. Dynamo have six wins, one loss and one draw to their name (19 points). Goal difference is 15:3. The best striker of the team is Andriy Yarmolenko (4 goals).
Metalist have won six games and played in a draw twice (20 points). Goal difference is 16:7. The best target-man is Cleiton Xavier (7 goals).
Let’s think the following over.
A great football revolution has happened in Europe. FC Barcelona who were trendsetters in recent years have been confidently defeated by Bayern Munich. A lot of teams including Shakhtar Donetsk and Metalist Kharkiv tried to follow Barcelona style. But German side who have completely different game philosophy have proved their predominance. In some way it concerns Ukrainian football where two different attitudes to football exist.
Russian expert Yuriy Rozanov stated that the White and Blues have started playing rather impressively. “Dynamo play fast and aggressive football. At last players start to realize what they are to do on the pitch”.
So the wind of change has come to Ukraine. We’ll see how strong its influence will be. And now let’s wish Dynamo luck as they are to face Metalist in Kharkiv.
Oleh Zadernovskyi, Andriy Nedbailo
