The first international break of the current year came to an end and Dynamo’s fourteen representatives return from different national teams.
The goalkeeper Anton Shunin was called up to the Russian national team. The only one player from Dynamo this time. Our national team headed by Stanislav Cherchesov played two away qualifiers against Belgium in Brussels (1:3) and Kazakhstan in Nur-Sultan (4:0). In both fixtures Shunin watched his compatriots from the bench. In addition to the White-Blues’ captain, Dynamo masseurs – Nikolay Larin and Runis Burkhanov – were traditionally invited under national team’s banners.
Bosnia and Herzegovina national team had to play two home matches in the qualifying tournament for Euro-2020 facing Armenia and Greece. Dynamo’s centre-back Toni Šunjić didn’t appear on the pitch against Armenia (2:1), but played 90 minutes against the Greeks (2:2). Dynamo U-21 goalkeeping coach Roman Berezovsky joined the Armenian national team on the eve of new European qualifiers. Unfortunately, the Armenians lost both matches. Following the fiasco in Sarajevo, they could not secure the upper hand against Finland (0:2). Two defeats significantly complicated the task to gain a ticket to the European football forum.
The attacking midfielder Fiodor Černych was called up to the Lithuanian national team. The Lithuanians had to play only one official match and one friendly this March. Černych scored an opener in the 14th minute against Luxembourg (1:2). However, the Baltic team could not make the advantage more solid, despite the fact that their captain and leader spent all 90 minutes on the pitch. Few days later, the Lithuanians tied the game with Azerbaijan (0:0) in Baku. Černych played 66 minutes until he was replaced by Saulius Mikoliūnas.
Centre-back Roman Yevgenyev and left winger Vyacheslav Grulyov joined Russia U-21 that is headed by Dynamo Academy former coach Mikhail Galaktionov. The young Russians took part in the training camp in Marbella (Spain), where they met Scandinavian teams – Sweden and Norway. Yevgenyev and Grulyov made an important contribution to two confident victories. Roman spent 90 minutes on the pitch against the Swedes (2:0), while Vyacheslav came out in the 75th minute. During the second friendly against Norway Grulyov appeared in the 60th minute and secured a hat-trick in 8 minutes, scoring his first goals for the national team. Yevgenyev missed this game.
Russia U-19 (players born in 2000) performed badly in the Elite round of the Euro-2019 U-19, which was held in Krasnodar. After two goalless draws against Azerbaijan (0:0) and Romania (0:0), the Russians lost to the group leaders from Ireland by 0:2. Vladimir Moskvichyov entered the starting XI in all three matches and played 90 minutes without being substituted. In the last group match White-Blues’ central midfielder was booked twice and was sent off the pitch. One of Dynamo U-21 leaders Ilya Gomanyuk came out as a substitute against Azerbaijan (for 15 minutes) and Ireland (for 45 minutes).
Finally, Russia U-18 (players born in 2001) took part in the international tournament SportChain Cup in Dubai (UAE). Four Dynamo U-21 players – Pyotr Kudakovskiy, Andrey Mazurin, Igor Shkolik and Maxim Danilin – joined this team. Among the opponents three strong national teams – Mexico, Japan and Belgium. Against the Mexicans (2:3) Igor Shkolik scored an opener hitting home after Andrey Mazurin’s pass. Igor played 54 minutes in this match, as well as Maxim Danilin. Mazurin was replaced immediately after the break. In the next fixture the Russians faced Japan (1:2). Our guys scored the first goal, but they failed to keep the lead and make their advantage more solid. Mazurin and Danilin played 65 minutes each, while Shkolik appeared in the 79th minute. After two losses Russians defeated Belgians (3:0), marking a decisive end to their performance within the tournament. Maxim Danilin scored the second goal of the team spending 65 minutes on the pitch. Mazurin and Shkolik played 45 minutes substituting one another. Pyotr Kudakovskiy did not play these matches.
By Wednesday, Dynamo players will gather at VTB Novogorsk-Dynamo training ground, where they will keep training for RPL matchday 21 against FC Lokomotiv Moscow.