Dynamo 1 – 1 Valencia: Ten > Twelve

The result was not what they were hoping for, but all things considered Dynamo have to be pleased with their effort. After spotting an early goal to their technically superior opponent Dynamo controlled the proceedings for the majority of the contest. They created the bulk of the chances and were finally rewarded with a second half equalizer off Florin Cernat’s deflected free kick. Dynamo looked like the better side even after going down a man shortly thereafter on a mind-boggling decision by referee Serge Gumienny to show Artem Milevskiy a second yellow card for simulation. As Valencia brought on the big guns in an attempt to capitalize on the man advantage it was Dynamo who always looked more likely to score the next goal. The performance of Yuri Semin’s depleted squad fueled the sold out Lobanovsky Stadium crowd, who showed their appreciation throughout the match.

Despite already being forced to field a reshuffled lineup, with regular right back Betao playing in the center of the defense for the first time and left back Andriy Nesmachniy having to switch sides, Semin chose to play with two forwards. What made the decision even braver was that in the absence of Ismael Bangoura to pair Milevskiy, Semin handed the start to Artem Kravets. The young striker had previously seen little more than mop-up duty in matches of any importance. Number one keeper Stanyslav Bohush was fit enough to be selected over veteran Oleksandr Shovkovskiy. Valencia countered, somewhat surprisingly, with a largely first choice eleven. David Villa and Joaquin were left on the bench after playing 90 minutes against Malaga on Saturday in favor of Fernando Morientes and Juan Mata, and Ruben Baraja was mercifully replaced by Manuel Fernandes. In a bid to correct the defensive shape of his team Valencia manager Unai Emery preferred midfielder Pablo Hernandez over forward Vicente, leaving Morientes alone up front.

Playing their first competitive contest in almost three months the UPL leaders got off to the worst possible start. Against the run of play Mata got behind his marker Tiberiu Ghioane near the left touchline and found David Silva lurking inside the six yard box for an expert finish. But despite falling behind the Spanish giants, Dynamo kept their composure and continued to build the pressure on Valencia’s rear guard. Milevskiy broke into the area with two defenders on his back, but despite definite contact he chose to stay on his feet and attempt an off-balance shot, which went wide. Kravets had his hand in several chances, including a solo run that ended with the 19 year old blazing his shot high. Serhiy Kravchenko had a golden opportunity to level the score on the half hour when a quick combination between Milevskiy and Kravets forced Valencia keeper Cesar to leave his line. The loose ball fell to Kravchenko, but with the goal at his mercy the midfielder managed to fire the shot into his own man. Shortly thereafter Milevskiy was called for a foul while trying to win a 50/50 ball, his reaction causing the referee to reach into his pocket. Little did we know at the time this would have a huge impact on the match and perhaps the tie as a whole.

After the break Semin introduced Cernat for fellow Romanian Ghioane, who was largely ineffective on the right side of midfield. Roman Eremenko assumed Ghioane’s position while Cernat moved into a free role in the center. The sparsely used veteran rewarded his manager immediately by maneuvering between defenders and firing in a shot that Cesar had to divert for a corner. The diminutive Flo asserted himself on the match as Dynamo began to dominate. Just past the hour Milevskiy won a free kick in a promising position but Kravchenko drilled his effort into the wall. Barely a minute later Milevskiy was again hauled down just before the area by Hedwiges Maduro, earning the Dutchman a yellow card. Cernat whipped in a wicked ball that took a deflection off the battling pair of Milevskiy and Raul Albiol before crashing into the net. Milevskiy claimed the goal and was mobbed by his teammates, but the official credit went to the unfortunate Albiol.

Valencia appeared to be on the verge of self destruction, as Silva was cautioned for a malicious challenge on Ognjen Vukojevic at midfield while Mata went into Gumienny’s book for dissent. But just as quickly Dynamo’s momentum was halted by the overzealous referee. Controlling the ball near the edge of the area Milevskiy was once again rudely impeded by Albiol had his heels stepped on by David Albelda. Perhaps Tema went down too theatrically for the Belgian referee’s liking, because there he was giving our best scoring threat his marching orders. The decision was both petty and cruel. Milevskiy was getting murdered by Valencia defenders the entire match, and on multiple occasions he stayed on his feet despite being well within his right to go to ground. I do not understand how the referee could justify booking Milevskiy on a play with a strong possibility of contact by the defender, with no warnings having been given and a string of fouls committed against the Dynamo striker. I am baffled by how the referee could make such a decision when it is effectively a red card for a player who has played for all intents and purposes a clean match. And I am absolutely outraged that this miscarriage of justice will cost Dynamo their best player in the return leg, leaving us without any fit regular strikers. I hope the Valencia players and staff were polite enough to thank Mr. Gumienny on their way off the pitch, because he made their jobs a lot easier. I imagine Dynamo will appeal to UEFA to have the card rescinded, but seeing how our club has been treated in recent European play I am not holding my breath.

With Dynamo reduced to ten men and twenty minutes still on the clock Emery went for the kill, sending on Villa and Joaquin. But despite being given every excuse to lay down, this Dynamo team showed their character. Cernat once again danced through defenders and his shot forced Cesar to concede another corner. Nesmachniy worked his way forward and put another ball on frame but it lacked the required venom. And Kravets, having faded in and out of the match during the second half, almost won it late with another chance in the box only to see it roll harmlessly into Cesar’s arms. In all Dynamo attempted 15 shots (8 on target) against 7 (2) for Valencia, while earning 6 corner kicks to none for the visitors. It was not until stoppage time that Dynamo finally appeared to tire, and the memories of recent European collapses must have flashed across the mind of every supporter. But the discipline of Betao and Taras Mykhalyk in holding their line kept out Villa and his cohorts in the dying moments. In the end both teams should find a measure of satisfaction in the result. Dynamo can take pride in having outplayed their better regarded opponents through superior tactics. Perhaps when Semin tells his players they can win at the Mestalla they will believe him.

Category: UEFA Cup 2008/2009

Tags: Andriy Nesmachniy, Artem Kravets, Artem Milevskiy, Betao, Cesar, David Albelda, David Silva, David Villa, Dynamo Kyiv Dinamo Kiev, Fernando Morientes, Florin Cernat, Joaquin, Juan Mata, Manuel Fernandes, Málaga, Ognjen Vukojevic, Oleksandr Shovkovskiy, Pablo Hernandez, Raul Albiol, Roman Eremenko, Serge Gumienny, Serhiy Kravchenko, Stanyslav Bohush, Taras Mykhalyk, Tiberiu Ghioane, UEFA Cup 2008/2009, Ukrainian Premier League, Unai Emery, Valencia, Vicente, Yuri Semin

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