Dynamo Moscow head coach Rolan Gusev offered his analysis following his team's narrow defeat to Krasnodar in the final of the Path of the RPL Fonbet Russian Cup. The match, held at the Ozon Arena in Krasnodar, ended in a goalless draw after regular and extra time, with Krasnodar ultimately winning 6-5 in a penalty shootout.
Speaking to the press after the match, Gusev addressed questions about the team's approach to neutralizing Krasnodar's key striker, Jhon Córdoba. The coach noted that the Colombian forward is a well-known threat, and the coaching staff had provided specific guidance to the players on how to handle him. Gusev expressed satisfaction with how his defenders executed that part of the game plan.
When questioned about the overall tactical setup and whether a three-center-back formation was considered, Gusev stood by the decisions made by the coaching staff. He stated that he believes Dynamo selected the correct strategy and tactics for the cup final. However, he identified the primary shortcoming as a lack of efficiency in the final attacking third, which prevented the team from converting their opportunities into goals.
The coach also explained the rationale behind the frequent long balls directed towards forwards Tyukavin and Bitello. He acknowledged that in the early stages of the match, Dynamo struggled to build play effectively from the back. The team was aware that Krasnodar would employ a high pressing scheme, man-marking across the pitch, and they could not afford to take unnecessary risks in their own defensive third.
Gusev revealed that tactical adjustments were discussed and implemented during the halftime break. The team corrected their approach to dealing with Krasnodar's press, aiming to be more effective in their ball progression. Despite these changes and a resilient defensive performance that kept a clean sheet for 120 minutes, Dynamo was unable to find the breakthrough in open play.
The loss marks a disappointing end to the cup campaign for the white-blues, who came agonizingly close to lifting the trophy. For Krasnodar, the victory secures a major piece of silverware. The match was officiated by referee Artem Chistyakov from Azov.
Based on reporting from Чемпионат.com.