FC Dynamo Kyiv faced FC Olimpik Donetsk at the NSC Olimpiyskyi within the Ukrainian Premier League matchday 16.
Considering that FC Shakhtar Donetsk lost two points opposing FC Metalist Kharkiv White-Blues had to win to increase their lead in standings to seven points.
Having tight schedule Dynamo use squad rotation. Comparing with the national cup fixture against FC Zoria Luhansk Kyivans made five substitutions in the starting lineup.
Olimpik weren’t going to give up and took the field with the intention to deliver Serhiy Rebrov’s men a battle. Early in the game they had several chances.
Halfway through the first half Lens picked up an injury. Kravets took his place. Dynamo controlled the ball, but Donetsk side coped with their attacks. Yarmolenko took two free kicks, but goalkeeper parried his shots.
40 minutes into the match Olimpik midfielder Doroshenko was sent off for the second booking. Still even playing outnumbered Roman Sanzhar’s men had chances. Early in the second half Rybka saved Dynamo after Tyshchenko’s attempt.
Anyway that was the last opportunity Donetsk side had. After that only Kyivans attacked, but couldn’t hit the target. Lytovka cleared the shot by Yarmolenko and then Kravets sent the ball over the bar after goalkeeper’s mistake.
When it seemed that Olimpik would manage to deprive Dynamo of two points for the second time this season Yarmolenko took the floor. He rushed into the penalty are and crossed to Mykyta Burda, who headed the ball in! This is the first goal of young defender for Dynamo main squad and a very important one! Several second later referee finished the game. Anyway the White-Blues have no time to relax as on Thursday they’ll face Everton FC away in the Europa League round of 16 first leg.
UPL. Matchday 16
08.03.2015. Kyiv, NSC Olimpiyskyi. 14,237 spectators
FC Olimpik Donetsk – FC Dynamo Kyiv – 0:1 (0:0)
Olimpik: Lytovka, Ivanov, Dytiatiev, Hryshko (c), Tyshchenko, Ohyria, Kadymian (Mishchenko, 83), Doroshenko, Sheriff (Drachenko, 64), Doronin, Lysenko (Lebid, 46).
Dynamo: Rybka, Antunes, Burda, Danilo Silva, Vida, Sydorchuk, Lens (Kravets, 26), Belhanda (Teodorczyk, 77), Buialskyi (Harmash, 73), Yarmolenko (c), Mbokani.
Goal: Burda (90+4).
Booked: Doroshenko (33), Dytiatiev (42), Lytovka (85), Hryshko (90+1) – Antunes (73).
Sent off: Doroshenko (40, second booking).
On March 8 FC Dynamo Kyiv will face FC Olimpik Donetsk at the NSC Olimpiyskyi within the Ukrainian Premier League matchday 16. The game will start at 14:00.
Dynamo: 3:0 golden standard
Position in standings makes Dynamo earn three points in each game to keep opponents on safe distance. That’s the main motivation for Serhiy Rebrov’s men. Seemingly easy wins in recent games shouldn’t make Kyivans too self confident. The UPL first round fixture against Olimpik proved that any opponent can cause problems. That game ended in a draw.
Featuring in three competitions the White-Blues play two matches a week. In this situation squad rotation is of great importance. Dynamo coaching staff coped with the task in the Ukrainian Cup game against FC Zoria Luhansk even though Shovkovskyi, Lens, Danilo Silva and Mbokani didn’t take the field. Dragovic won’t oppose Olimpik due to suspension.
The White-Blues won three last domestic league fixtures by the score of 3:0. Kyivans are the best in the UPL on all counts.
Olimpik: to repeat the first round success
Olimpik became one of the main sensations of the UPL first round. It was great to see the young team from Donetsk playing every match outside the native city and demonstrating worthy football. If Roman Sanzhar’s men keep this up they’ll have a chance to finish the season in the Europa League zone.
During the winter break the team had normal training camps and preserved the squad. Still they suffered 1:5 defeat against FC Zoria Luhansk in the first game of the year. After that they drew against FC Vorskla Poltava in the Ukrainian Cup – 0:0.
Olimpik president and player Vladyslav Helzyn has shared his expectations of the forthcoming match against Dynamo: “We try to earn points in every game. The match against Dynamo won’t be an exception. Serhiy Rebrov’s men are in great conditions, so our task will be difficult. Kyivans have fast wings. Not every team can stop them. We must defend orderly”.
Face-to-face match
These two sides faced each other only once. That match took place in August of 2014 and sensationally ended in a goalless draw.
