The encounter that was held at VTB Novogorsk-Dynamo training ground ended in a 1:0 win for the White-Blues.
Marcel Licka divided the team into two squads in order to distribute the playing load. As a result, we saw fresh names in the starting line-up. Ilya Kuptsov appeared at goal. Fabian Balbuena made his first appearance after the return, while Vyacheslav Grulev took the centre-forward position.
The hosts opened the score without hesitatiion. Yaroslav Gladyshev handled the ball from Mathias Normann's diagonal pass, outplayed Lucas Masoero and fired into the left corner.
In their turn, the visitors organized a speedy counterattack which was finished by Andrey Okladnikov. Fortunately, Pari NN striker hit the post. In the next episode Diego Laxalt spotted for Kuptsov who ran far from goal. The Uruguayan left-back cleared the ball off the box.
The White-Blues played with obvious advantage creating a lot of chances in the first half. Grulev, Ivan Zazvonkin twice had nice opportunities to double Dynamo's lead. The second half started with a substitution – Kurban Rasulov replaced Kuptsov at goal. Dynamo continued to dominate.
Zazvonkin made a great pivot inside the penalty area, but his shot turned out to be weak. Later Aleksandr Kutitsky dragged the ball himself and passed it to Zazvonkin near the opponent's penalty box. Ivan shared it with Gladyshev who curled wide from a promising position.
By the end of the match there had been more tackles and fouls. Marcel Licka released five new players to add freshness. This manoeuver could bring a positive result once again, when Zazvonkin rolled the ball to Grulev. Slava was standing alone in front of the empty net, but the defender managed to make a bright save.
The Nizhny Novgorod side could equalise on the 80th minute. Yaroslav Mikhaylov sent Ruslanbek Jiyanov one-on-one with Rasulov. However, Dynamo goalkeeper prevented the team from big troubles making a self-sacrificing save. The 17-year-old keeper looked solid and confident throughout the half and contributed to the final winning score.
At 5:00 p.m. Dynamo and Pari NN will face each other again.