Kazan give Barcelona breathing space after Dynamo draw

Russian champions Rubin Kazan failed to really turn the pressure on Champions League holders Barcelona on Tuesday as they were held 0-0 by Dynamo Kiev in their Group F match.

The result lifted Kazan onto six points alongside Italian side Inter Milan, who play at Barcelona later on Tuesday. Dynamo remain bottom of the group with five points.

However, victory would have really increased the pressure on Barcelona as Kazan would progress at Barca’s expense were they to finish level on points on the head to head rule.

“It was a tough and very even match today,” Rubin manager Kurban Berdyev said. “We managed to add a point and I’m really grateful to my players for their performance.”

“We missed some clear chances before the break and in the second half but in general the score was fair. I believe the match at Barcelona will now decide a lot in our group.”

Both teams started cautiously trying to avoid unnecessary risks and failed to warm up the crowd under light snow.

Dynamo looked more focused keeping the Rubin defence, conducted by ‘keeper Sergei Ryzhikov, under pressure thanks to the individual efforts of Andrei Shevchenko but failed to create any serious threat to the hosts goal.

Rubin Kazan, who clinched their second domestic title at the weekend, looked a bit rusty but created the only scoring chance just before the break, when Alejandro Dominguez 10-metre overhead shot forced Dynamo goalie Alexander Shovkovsky into a diving save.

In the second-half the hosts added power and precision to their attacks pinning Dynamo back but the visitors played well defensively, relying on counter-attacks.

Dynamo manager Valery Gazzayeav also expressed his satisfaction with his team’s performance.

“We lost two central defenders ahead of this match and were playing with an experimental defence,” Gazzayev said. “But they all played very confidently and gave no chance to (Alexander) Bukharov, who is currently the best forward in Russia.

“We created more chances than the hosts did but failed to score. But I’m pleased with the result in general.”