Published: 24 November, 2009, 22:44
Edited: 25 November, 2009, 12:47
Russian title holders Rubin and Dynamo Kiev couldn’t find the goal in their Matchday 5 UEFA Champions League encounter, but both keep chances of progressing to the next round.
The first half saw a rather cautious football, with both teams having to battle not only each other, but also with the wet and slippery pitch.
Rubin were the first to get used to the weather conditions first. The hosts forced a yellow for Kiev’s top man Andrey Shevchenko at 47 minutes and then had a great chance to grab the lead seconds before the halftime break.
But Alejandro Domínguez’s spectacular bicycle-kick was saved by visitor’s keeper Aleksandr Shovkovsky and Aleksandr Bukharov, who was first on the rebound, sent his header over the crossbar.
And just like in the Matchday 1 clash in Kiev, which Rubin lost 1-3 despite taking an early lead, Dynamo was the better side in the second half.
The Kazan team lost their key defender Roman Sharonov through injury after 50 minutes, which became a signal for the visitors’ attacks.
Andrey Yarmolenko, Artyom Milevsky and Shevchenko threatened Rubin’s goal, but the score didn’t change, 0-0.
“I think a draw was a fair result today. We and our rivals both had chances. But, nevertheless, I am satisfied, because we have got six points in the Champions League. Let’s see how it all turns out after the last game,” Kurban Berdyev, Rubin coach, told Sport-Express newspaper.
His words were echoed by the Ukrainians’ captain Andrey Shevchenko.
“No team deserved to lose. It was a very difficult game. A draw was not good enough for both teams. Chances were created in front of both goals. Dynamo and Rubin gave everything they got. And, of course, the weather conditions affected the game, making the pitch swampy,” he said.
In another Group F match, Barcelona made easy work of Inter Milan, replacing the Italians at the top.
The first goal at Camp Nou came after a 10th minute corner, with defender Gerard Piqué putting his name on the scoreboard.
Barca calmly controlled the game after Pedro Rodríguez doubled their advantage on the 23rd minute, 2-0 it ended.
The Group standings are as tight as ever, with all four teams having the chance of progressing to the knockout stages.
Barca lead with eight points, while Inter and Rubin are tied for second with six points. Dynamo are last, though are only lagging one point behind.
The score at Camp Nou means – in order to progress – Rubin need to score and avoid defeat in Milan on Matchday 6, scheduled for December 9. While only a win will be good enough for Dynamo in their clash against Barcelona in Kiev.