The encounter of the Mir Russian Premier League tenth round that was held at VTB Arena ended in a 0:2 defeat.
Slavisa Jokanovic decided on serious changes fielding four of five summer newcomers. Mathias Normann who had recovered quickly from injury was spotted into the starting eleven. Left-back Diego Laxalt and centre-forward Fedor Smolov became integral parts of Dynamo XI against the leader of the season.
The game started with mutual attacks. Smolov's inaccurate pass to Daniil Fomin was intercepted by the Zenit defense. As a response, the visitors' topscorer Malcom curled the ball pointlessly over the far top corner.
Then Zenit took the game under control. It was surprising that the Croatian international Dejan Lovren had advanced to the forefront. Firstly, the centre-back couldn't meet the ball inside the penalty area. Several minutes later he had the chance to score with the free-kick. Anton Shunin kept the vigilance and turned the ball aside.
Mathias Normann suffered a lot in duels within the first half and it was the Norwegian who made a fatal unexpected mistake losing the ball near Dynamo penalty box. Ivan Sergeyev assisted on Andrey Mostovoy and Zenit striker rolled the ball into the bottom corner.
The hosts tried to gain advantage by increasing tempo. Arsen Zakharyan and Denis Makarov tested their long-range strikes without significant results. After the break the game was played toe-to-toe with mutual chances to score. The attackers of both sides established themselves forcing the goalkeepers to be attentive.
On the 60th minute Fomin was close to create a football masterpiece firing into the crossbar from distance. Zenit continued to put pressure on the centre-backs and this tactics led to a man advantage. Dynamo remained ten-men when Roberto Fernandez fouled on Sergeyev and was sent off by the referee.
By the end of the derby of two capitals Zakharyan created a chance for Smolov whose curling shot ricocheted off Rodrigo and went wide. In the next attack Shunin showed reaction and impressive skills by stopping the Brazilian defender.
In added time the Saint Petersburg side doubled the lead. Gustavo Mantuan who was loaned at Corinthians instead of Yuri Alberto ran one-on-one with Dynamo goalkeeper and registered the final score.
The White-Blues stay sixth in the standings on 16 points. In the next round match Dynamo will play away with Akhmat on October 2. Before this fixture another encounter is scheduled. On Seprember 28 our team will fly to Orenburg to the Cup game with the local club.