Quality beats will; Kyiv earns first points

Olympic stadium in Kyiv, Ukraine, 3.10.2012.

UEFA Champions league, group A, 2. round

FC Dynamo Kyiv - GNK Dinamo 2:0 (2:0)

Referees: Martin Atkinson, Simon Beck, Stuart Burt, Jake Collin, Andre Marriner, John Moss (all England)

Spectators: 47.804

Dynamo Kyiv: Šovkovski - Silva, Mikhalik, Khačeridi, Taiwo - Vukojević, Veloso - Yarmolenko (80. Mehmedi), Kranjčar (46. Garmaš), Gusev (83. Raffael) - Ideye

Dinamo: Kelava - Vida, Tonel, Šimunić, Pivarić - Ademi, Calello (46. Čop), Brozović - Kovačić, Sammir (78. Carrasco) - Beqiraj (58. Rukavina)

Yellow cards: Garmaš (51.), Vukojević (77.) / Tonel (7.)

Goals: 1:0 Gusev (3.), 2:0 Pivarić-ag (33.)

Dinamo suffered second Champions league defeat this season in Kyiv, Ukraine. Home side had a dream opening of the game when they took the lead after just 3. minutes and despite Dinamo having possession and couple of chances it was the home team who scored the second goal before half time.

Croatian champions opened the game in Ukraine in Christmas tree formation with Calello, Ademi and Brozović in the middle, Sammir and Kovačić as attacking midfielders and Beqiraj as striker. Unfortunately, similar to the derby game against Hajduk couple of days ago, Dinamo conceded early on in the game.

After less than three minutes of play Vukojević made a cross from the right side, Gusev escaped his marker and headed the ball to the bottom right corner. Naturally, early lead gave wings to the home players who searched for the second goal but Kelava made a brilliant save after Ideye's head shot. After ten minutes of the game, Dinamo took control of the game and started to create chances.

Several time Croatian champions had their opportunities but the final pass was always intercepted by the home defenders. The best chance of the game Dinamo had after 25 minutes when Kovačić made a great run and a brilliant pass to Beqiraj who managed to get pass Šovkovski but his back pass to Brozović wasn't accurate.

After a great Dinamo spell, Kyiv scored the second goal and basically secured their first three points. Again it was Dinamo's defensive line who tried to start the action with Kelava, his pass to Vida was intercepted by Taiwo who made a cross to the middle where unlucky Pivarić was hit by the ball and it ended in his own net. Before halftime Dinamo had another chance to get back in the game but a great run by Vida was complicated from Sammir and the great chance wasn't even ended with a shot.

During halftime coach Čačić substituted defensive midfielder Calello and striker Duje Čop entered the game and immediately had his chance but his nice shot was saved by Šovkovski. Ten minutes later, the same player blocked Šovkovski's attempt to kick the ball but the goalkeeper stopped the ball before it reached the net.

As the time was passing by, Dinamo tried more and more to score but home team defensive line was concentrated to the end of the game. On the other side, Yarmolenko and Gusev continued to threathen Kelava but our captain didn't concede any more goals.

Modri were once again beaten in the Champions league but they showed some good skills and proved that they are a little "behind" top European teams. Hopefully, a lot of effort will be rewarded in the next games because Modri certainly deserve more than zero points.

Dinamo players now turn their focus to Koprivnica and the game against Slaven which is scheduled for Sunday.