Dynamo Seeks Asatiani Return

While manager Yuri Semin sounded notes of optimism following Pape Diakhate’s knee injury in the friendly victory over Rubin Kazan, the club’s front office is attempting to bring in a familiar face to shore up the defense ahead of the upcoming clash with Valencia in the UEFA Cup. Club president Ihor Surkis has confirmed the club is looking to bring back Georgian center half Malkhaz Asatiani on a loan deal until the end of the season. Asatiani was returned to his club Lokomotiv Moscow following an injury plagued stint with Dynamo last fall, but the player has expressed his desire to continue his career with Dynamo.

The loss of Diakhate leaves Dynamo without an adequate replacement to pair alongside Taras Mykhalyk. Nigerian Ayila Yussuf would be a natural alternative, but he has struggled with a thigh injury suffered early in the season and is unlikely to be match fit by February 18. That would leave Dynamo with a choice between fading veteran Goran Sablic and unproven Oleh Dopilka to be thrown to the wolves, also known as David Villa and Co. Assuming Asatiani is fit, he is the best option to fill Diakhate’s boots. Asatiani is well acquainted with Dynamo players and tactics following his loan spell, and he has the confidence of Semin having played for him at Lokomotiv. The transfer seems like a no-brainer when you consider that Asatiani is already on Dynamo’s UEFA Cup roster, and he has been deemed surplus to requirements in Moscow.

Tomorrow in Marbella Dynamo will face Sparta Prague in a friendly. With much of the team absent on national team duty, Dynamo will take on the Czech club with a weakened squad. The focus will remain on players like Yussuf, Stanyslav Bohush, and Oleh Husyev to continue gaining fitness ahead of competitive fixtures on the horizon. Dynamo will reportedly squeeze in another tune-up match against Romanian top flight club Politehnica Iaşi two days before going up against Dinamo Moscow on February 14.

Category: Dynamo Kyiv Team News

Tags: Ayila Yussuf, David Villa, Dinamo Moscow, Dynamo Kyiv Dinamo Kiev, Dynamo Kyiv Team News, FC Politehnica Iaşi, Goran Sablic, Ihor Surkis, Lokomotiv Moscow, Malkhaz Asatiani, Oleh Dopilka, Oleh Husyev, Pape Diakhate, Rubin Kazan, Sparta Prague, Stanyslav Bohush, Taras Mykhalyk, UEFA Cup, Valencia, Yuri Semin

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