The match of the 1st round of the Russian Premier League with Krylia Sovetov, held at VTB Arena, ended with a score of 0:0.
Dynamo's starting lineup was almost identical to the one that had produced a brilliant first half in the Bratsk derby a week ago. The only change was the absence of Timofey Marinkin, who had been dealing with muscle problems this week. He was replaced by Danil Glebov in the defensive midfield.
The hosts launched an active attack from the outset, with Bitello, as usual, leading the charge. His first shot from the penalty area went half a meter wide of the right post, his second was blocked by Sergei Pesyakov, who also made good progress after Glebov's shot, which had been fed by Bitello. Samara once made a dangerous comeback, when Ivan Oleynikov lobbed Andrey Lunev but missed the goal.
Set pieces could have come to the rescue. Leon Seidenzall first sent the ball towards goal after a free kick, and Konstantin Tyukavin tried to get his stick in, but this time it was to no avail. The visitors nearly scored from a corner kick – Sergei Bozhin headed the ball into the bottom corner, which Lunev saved with some difficulty.
Yet Dynamo were much closer to scoring. Dmitry Skopintsev made an impressive run down the left flank and crossed accurately to Tyukavina, but it went just wide of the post. Bitello made a superb pass in the center of the field to Yaroslav Gladyshev, who shot wide again. Finally, Artur fired a sharp shot from the edge of the penalty area into the near corner, but Pesyakov managed to get his foot in the door. The score was 15-7 in shots in the first half, but the score remained 0-0.
The second half began with a brilliant save by Lunev after a stinging shot by Oleynikov and a small deflection. Krylia then retreated and defended with discipline as a team, preventing Dynamo from getting the ball into their penalty area for a long time.
The introduction of Viktor Okishor and Anton Miranchuk in place of Daniil Fomin and Gladyshev was intended to inject fresh ideas into the game. Denis Makarov, who had moved to the Samara club in the summer, also appeared on the field at the same time. Soon, he nearly launched a scoring attack, keeping the ball while surrounded by three Dynamo players. He then crossed into the penalty area, where Martin Kramaric missed the far corner.
The opposing goal continued to lack depth. Ivan Sergeev's introduction to partner Tyukavin, along with Rubens on the left flank, didn't help either. Makarov had a good opportunity at the end, shooting a low shot from the penalty area with his right foot, but Lunev saved it.
As a result, Sandro Schwarz's first official match since returning ended in a goalless draw. In the second round, Dynamo will play away against Baltika Kaliningrad on August 1.
