The encounter of the Mir Russian Premier League 16th round that was held at VTB Arena, ended in a 3:2 win in favor of the White-Blues.
Marcel Licka took the risk to release Fabian Balbuena in the starting line-up, because the Paraguayan defender had returned from his national team location the day before the derby. The right channel was attributed to Sergey Parshivlyuk and Denis Makarov, while Bitello settled down on the left wing of the attack.
Despite the cold weather, the Brazilian playmaker was the brightest player since the start of the game. He was great at finding free zones and breaking into them. In the 7th minute, Konstantin Tyukavin interplayed well with Diego Laxalt. The Uruguayan made an excellent pass to Bitello. The number 89 ran one-on-one with Igor Akinfeyev and hit the near corner in his traditional way – 1:0.
When the goal was scored, the game opened up even more. The Armymen could quickly equalise – after a cross from Milan Gajic Anton Zabolotny headed the ball into the crossbar. A little later, Fedor Chalov fired wide from 13 meters.
The White-Blues counterattacked dangerously: first, Fedor Smolov missed the target after Tyukavin's pass, and a little later Kostya ran half of the pitch with the ball and also struck wide. But CSKA could boast of visible ball possession and equalised in the 23rd minute. Abbos Fayzullayev fired successfully from distance, and misoriented Igor Leshchuk was not able to deny this effort.
Dmitry Skopintsev could win Dynamo advantage back. He made an impressive spurt and almost spun the ball into the far corner. Then, Smolov finished a nice combination with a shot from 11 meters, but Moises managed to block it. By the end of the first half, the Army team took the lead: Fayzullayev crossed accurately to Zabolotny's head, and this time CSKA centre-forward did not miss.
During the break, the coaching staff of Dynamo made a double substitution – Smolov and Makarov were replaced by Nicolas Ngamaleu and Jorge Carrascal. At the very beginning of the second half, Leshchuk left Dynamo in game, blocking Fayzullayev's one-on-one rush. After this save, Dynamo players added in activity and equalised soon: Carrascal assisted on Tyukavin, Kostya made a pass with his head to Bitello, who registered a brace in one touch.
It is worth of remark that Carrascal played with great desire against his former side. The Colombian outran two opponents in the midfield and sent Tyukavin into the breakthrough. The talented striker got close to Akinfeyev, but could not beat the captain of the Armymen. Akinfeyev also saved his team after Ngamaleu's slashing shot into the near corner.
Dynamo's pressure paid off in the 74th minute. Carrascal decided to strike from outside the penalty area, the ball ricocheted off the defender and flew to Tyukavin, who beat Akinfeyev with a shot under the crossbar, scoring in the fifth consecutive match!
In remaining time, our team was much closer to extend the lead than the hosts were to save the derby. Bitello could have scored a hat-trick, but coming out at an angle to Akinfeyev's goal, he struck into the goalkeeper of the Army side. A little later Igor also saved his team after Fomin's shot from the penalty line.
Dynamo collected 28 points and stay third in the table. In the next match, our team will host Zenit in Fonbet Russian Cup RPL Path first quarterfinal match that will be held on November 28.