Dinamo defeat Spartak in heated Moscow Derby

The opening week of the 2010 Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia campaign concluded with Dinamo edging Spartak 1-0 in an intense Moscow derby before a packed Luzhniki Stadium.

Though Spartak Moskva has been in the limelight as the top challenger to Rubin Kazan’s crown, Dinamo put forth an inspired performance that will have many wondering if the White-Blues could be the shocker of the year.

Dinamo Moskva manager Andrey Kobelev, bolstered with a revamped line-up that included Alexandru Epureanu, Aleksandr Samedov and Edgaras Česnauskis, all from FC Moskva, Igor Semshov and Andriy Voronin displayed a stubborn resolve and quality attacking vision. The best chance before the break came via Andriy Voronin, as at the thirty-ninth minute, the Ukrainian international charged into right side of the box before back-heel the ball to Aleksandr Samedov his effort was saved easily.

Both managers tinkered with their line-up after the break but the winning goal finally came at the seventy-second minute courtesy of veteran Igor Semshov. Latching onto the ball after a poorly cleared attempt on the left, Aleksandr Samedov moved to his right to the opposite side of the box. Distancing himself from Aleksandr Sheshukov his provision ricocheted off a Martin Stranzl, before coming off another Dinamo player and finally to the veteran to drove the ball to the far low corner of the net from ten metres. Alex nearly tied the match with a booming free kick but Dinamo ‘keeper Vladimir Gabulov fully stretched out to push the ball to safety. Spartak added Artem Dzyuba as an extra attacker, with Ari debuting for Krasno-belye late but neither could find a way through and Dinamo claimed the 1-0 victory.

Prepared by J. Davies
©Joga Bonito Renegade Style, a division of Renegade Style Productions, 2010.
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Yossi Benayoun deal to Dinamo Moska appears suspect

Though unconfirmed through Dinamo Moskva and other reliable sources, a variety of media sources are purporting that Yossi Benayoun will move to the White-Blues from Liverpool for a fee in the €8m. Whilst readers should cast a highly suspecting eyebrow at this rumour, as it appears questionable on a number fronts and appears to be more of the making of the press, it would be remarkable coup for Dinamo if it were truthful.

Moving past whether Liverpool would part with one of manager Rafa Benítez' most trusted players and whether Dinamo would invest so heavily in the market, the thirty year-old Israeli international would have a remarkable impact on Andrey Kobelev's line-up. After debuting professionally for Beersheba's THapoel Be'er Sheva in 1997, Mr. Benayoun quickly established himself as an attacking virtuoso with stops in Maccabi Haifa and La Liga's Racing Santander before making the move to the English Premier League. Joining Alan Pardew's West Ham in 2005, his vision towards the goal was proven out again and within two years joined Rafa Benítez' Liverpool.

Though some claim his slight of build is detrimental to boorish physical play, the Israeli captain is a technical gifted player in a classic sense of the game. His inclusion into the Dinamo line-up would immediately jettison the play of strikers Andriy Voronin, Fyodor Smolov and Aleksandr Kokorin.

Now, of-course, the true test to this is whether Dinamo is close to consummating this remarkable coup and unless rock-solid proof comes shortly, such rumours possess little fact and are merely a media creation.

Prepared by J. Davies
©Joga Bonito Renegade Style, a division of Renegade Style Productions, 2010.
All rights reserved

Andriy Voronin set to replace Aleksandr Kerzhakov at Dinamo Moskva

After a disappointing second half of the recent campaign that resulted them shut out of European competition with an eighth place finish, Dinamo Moskva are rumoured to be hot on the trail of Ukraine striker Andriy Voronin.

The thirty-year-old Odessa native, who has made stops with Borussia Mönchengladbach, Mainz, Köln and Bayer 04 Leverkusen before joining English Premier League side Liverpool in the summer of 2007, is widely accepted on his way out of Anfield. After a fine start with Liverpool his production waned and quickly saw his appearances dwindle. Following a loan spell back in the Germany last year with Hertha Berlin, he has yet to be a factor in Rafa Benítez's line-up after return to the English side. As Liverpool looks to build up its coffers to finance the acquisition of Maxi Rodriguez from Atlético Madrid, Andriy Voronin is rumoured to be available for the £1.5m.

Dinamo manager Andrey Kobelev is also dealing with the delicate issue of striker Aleksandr Kerzhakov, who many suspect has played his final match for the “White Blues”. The twenty-seven year-old Russian international contract expires next year and considered to be the target of Liverpool, Hamburg, Lokomotiv Moskva as well as returning to Zenit Saint Petersburg, where his professional career commenced. As Dinamo opened its training camp on Monday, it was without the striker, further raising speculation he is not returning to Dinamo. Speaking to Russian media outlet Sports Express, he noted, "Dinamo gave me a paper that I can train individually till January 15. That was the decision of the club and that is why I did not attend the first training."

Furthering speculation that he is headed to Luciano Spalletti's Zenit line-up he added:

"Actually I was ready to arrive in Moscow by the start of the trainings and even bought a ticket. I am in St. Petersburg at the moment. The negotiations about my transfer are on their way. Of course I know what is going on but I will not give the details. I think everything will be decided very soon. And at the same time I am not expecting the verdict with a sinking heart. The process of talks is normal and I am ready to accept any result."

Prepared by J. Davies

Dinamo Moskva defeat Zenit Saint Petersburg 1-0

Zenit Saint Petersburg lost its second successive match, losing 1-0 to Dinamo Moskva with Dmitri Khokhlov scoring late. The victory sees Andrey Kobelev's Dinamo side catapult above Zenit and are now in sixth position in the table.

Confident before the match, Andrey Kobelev's tactical plan was letter perfect as the free-flowing Zenit attack slowed to a grind. With a tight, compact formation, Dinamo was able to dictate much of the run of play. Additionally, Viktor Svezhov, barely eighteen years of age, debuted for Dinamo and was near perfect in the midfield. Finally with six minutes remaining the match was decided as Kirill Kombarov cut down the right flank and turned back from the byline to fire a cross to the back post which Dmitri Khokhlov volleyed in for the winning strike.

CSKA Moskva defeats Dinamo Moskva 2-1

After respectful observance of the Victory Day, CSKA Moskva defeated Dinamo Moskva 2-1 in a thrilling match decided in the last moments. The Army-Men's second successive win puts them on the top of the table awaiting Rubin Kazan's match against Tom' Tomsk on Monday.

Dinamo got off the mark quickly as in a goal that would make any mother proud as following a simple throw-in by Marcin Kowalczyk, Dmitry Khokhlov played the ball off to Kirill Kombarov bearing down on CSKA 'keeper Igor Akinfeev. Just as he appeared ready to pound the ball towards the net, he chipped across to the left side of the goal to his twin-brother Dmitri Kombarov to send into the net. With Dinamo bolting down CSKA's advances, Zico summoned Tomáš Necid with sixteen remaining and only four minutes later he leveled the match via the extraordinary work of Yuri Zhirkov. The Russian international got on the end of poor clearance near the edge of the box and after working down to the bye-line past Marcin Kowalczyk and Kirill Kombarov he chipped a perfect cross to the opposite of the six yard box for the former Slavia Praha-man to head in. The Army-Men grabbed the victory with a shocking goal one minute into added time as Daniel Carvalho's long cross into the box was headed-in by Vasili Berezutskiy to bring the match to its final 2-1 scoreline.

Dinamo Moskva defeats Spartak Moskva 2-0

After two consecutive losses Dinamo Moskva broke into the winning column with a 2-0 defeat of Spartak Moskva at Luzhniki Stadium. The victory pushes Dinamo to within two points of top of table Rubin Kazan and FC Moskva.

With Aleksandr Kokorin back in Andrey Kobelev's lineup, Dinamo withstood Spartak's pressure and patiently waited for the opportunity to pounce. Two minutes before the half-hour mark Dmitri Kombarov's sharp corner from the right was half-volleyed in with by power by Newell's Old Boys-alumni Leandro Fernández for the one goal advantage. Searching for the right ingredients in his mix Valery Karpin summoned Artem Dzyuba, Clemente Rodríguez and Denis Boyarintsev for Spartak after the break but there was no way through. Finally as time ran out Aleksandr Kerzhakov's well led pass down the left flank was chased down by Dmitri Kombarov, who out-ran the Spartak's Sergei Parshivlyuk before crossing perfectly Aleksandr Kokorin to close-out from twelve metres.

Dinamo returns to play next week against CSKA Moskva whilst Spartak faces Saturn Moskva Oblast.

Krylia Sovetov defeats Dinamo Moskva 1-0

Dinamo Moskva lost their second straight match falling 1-0 to Krylia Sovetov with the lone goal coming once-again by Czech international Jan Koller. Following the loss of Rubin Kazan to the resurgent Spartak Moskva, the victory leaves the Volga-region side at the top of the table, with an opening for CSKA who face Rostov on Sunday.

After early stages of being unable to take advantage of their attacking dominance Leonid Slutsky's finally took the lead two minutes before the half hour in the most unique fashions. Jan Koller provided Ruslan Adzhindzhal the ball as he surged into the right side of the box who then pulled the ball back and fired it via his right foot but struck Leandro Fernández into the lower abdomen. The ball immediately rebounded to the Czech striker who subsequently fired the ball into the opposite left corner. Following the goal, Dinamo was not short on intensity and were prepared to challenge every ball but time after time they couldn't make the needed touch for the last effort with the match concluding 1-0.

Aleksandr Kerzhakov provides Dinamo 1-0 victory

Dinamo Moskva overcame a stubborn FC Rostov to win 1-0 despite playing a man down for much of the match. After Leandro Fernández was shown a straight red-card eight minutes before the half with his stiff challenge of Maksim Astafyev Dinamo was forced to play a man down. However despite the disadvantage, Dinamo continued to flourish with Aleksandr Kerzhakov and teenager sensation Aleksandr Kokorin causing fits for Rostov. Finally with thirteen minutes remaining Ivan Živanović was adjudged to bringing down young Mr. Kokorin and the spot was pointed to. Russian international Aleksandr Kerzhakov stepped up and quickly deposited the ball to the back of the net giving Dinamo the 1-0 lead and eventual victory.

With the victory Dinamo maintain their first place position Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia with Rostov holding mid-table.