A lot will depend upon individual skills of players, who’re able to decide the game for their teams. In our opinion such performers can be home side midfielder Pizzi and visitors’ halfback Viktor Tsyhankov.
Pizzi – at high ebb of career in his team
Luis Miguel Afonso Fernandes, known as Pizzi, got his football education at kittle-known club GD Braganca. In 2007 he signed a contract with SC Braga, but after only two games he left the team. Later he featured for four clubs on loan. In 2012 Atletico Madrid signed him for 13,5 million euro. Still Portuguese player didn’t make a single appearance for the Mattressers. He signed another loan agreement – with Deportivo de La Coruña. What’s memorable about this period of his career is fabulous goal from the free kick against Barcelona.
In 2013 he joined Benfica, but right after that left for Spain again to play for RCD Espanyol on loan. In 2014 he returned to Benfica to take the position of midfielder. It seems he’s found his team at last.
Arguments
Pizzi is Benfica engine. His fast legs help him control the ball while good tactical skills – to find right decisions. 55 minutes into the game against Dynamo in Kyiv he started the attack which resulted in visitors’ goal.
Facts
27 years old (06.10.1989)
Height – 172 cm
Weight – 66 kg
Squad number – 21
2016/17 season stats – 13 matches (1033 minutes, 4 goals, 3 assists)
Weakness – defensive play
Strength – ability to avoid pressure, attacking creativity.
Viktor Tsyhankov – talent in Dynamo frame
Different coaches, who work for FC Dynamo Kyiv, state that all teams of our club have the same training system and 18-year-old halfback Viktor Tsyhankov proves that.
He moved to Kyiv from Vinnytsia at the age of 14, went through all stages of DynamoAcademy and added new skills to his natural talent.
This halfback made his debut for Dynamo main squad on September 13 2016 in the Champions League home fixture against SSC Napoli (1:2).
On September 24 Tsyhankov scored his first goal for Dynamo. That happened in the UPL away game against FC Olimpik Donetsk (0:4). He’s the youngest goalscorer of our club since the foundation of Ukrainian Premier League.
On September 28 2016 he made a substitute appearance in the Champions League group stage matchday 2 game against Besiktas JK and scored equalizer 65 minutes into the match. Viktor is the second youngest player of our team to do that (18 years and 317 days old on the match day). The youngest one is legendary Andriy Shevchenko.
Arguments
Tsyhankov has football vision that lets him be creative on the field. He’s not afraid to make a mistake which is really beneficial for the team.
In the first game against Benfica Viktor made a substitute appearance only 70 minutes into the match. He didn’t manage to change the situation for better, but maybe he’ll succeed in Lisbon.
Facts
18 years old (15.11.1997)
Height – 177 cm
Weight – 69 kg
Squad number – 15
2016/17 season stats – 10 matches (470 minutes, 4 goals, 3 assists)
Weakness – fitness that doesn’t let him play intensively for 90 minutes
Strength – creativity and mental processing that puzzle opponents.
Oleh Zadernovskyi
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