In a series of two matches, Dynamo Moscow would probably have been considered an even more obvious favorite in the confrontation with Lokomotiv Tbilisi, but the changed format of the Europa League qualification significantly increased the Georgian team's chances of success.
In addition, the railroad workers played on their own field.
This factor has lost some value in a pandemic, but it still plays a significant role.
Despite the unfortunate result of the RPL meeting with Rubin and the tight schedule, Kirill Novikov did not rotate the squad.
Even defender Sergei Parshivlyuk and forward Nikolai Komlichenko, who were disqualified in the previous match, were at the start, together with Maximilian Philippe, Clinton N'Zhi and Sebastian Shimanski, who made up the attacking quartet.
At the same time, Daniil Lesovoy remained on the bench, having only ten days ago transferred to Dynamo from Tula Arsenal.
The beginning of the match turned out to be quite bright and rich.
By the fifth minute, the teams exchanged dangerous moments.
First, Shimanski made a long-range shot, and then Irakli Sikharulidze almost took advantage of the guests' gross mistake in defense.
He got the ball on the edge of the penalty area, but shot very poorly.
And two minutes later, the French referee Karim Abed showed the first yellow card.
Railwayman David Samurkasov received a warning.
On paper, Dynamo's advantage seemed colossal, which was only confirmed by the 15-fold difference in the transfer cost of the teams.
The authoritative portal Transfermarkt estimated all the blue-and-white footballers at € 59.35 million, and their counterparts at € 3.83 million. However, this was not noticeable for a long time.
Perhaps the reason for this was the imperfect condition of the lawn, which Novikov spoke about even before the meeting.
It should be noted that the game was played not on the main field, but on the reserve field of the Mikhail Meskhi stadium.
If in the first quarter of an hour Dynamo had a slight advantage and put pressure on the opponent, then over time Lokomotiv not only leveled the game, but also began to attack much sharper.
First, Dmitry Skopintsev almost brought a penalty kick into his own goal and earned a yellow card for a hard foul on Tornik Kirkitadze, and then the only legionnaire in Tbilisi had a great chance to score.
Tunisian midfielder Imran Ulad Omar aimed to the bottom left corner, but missed.
💪 Our squad for the Europa League match #LokomotivDinamo #ForwardDynamopic.twitter.com / E1eKfIE4wx
- FC Dynamo Moscow (@FCDM_official) September 17, 2020
As it turned out, this had a positive effect on the guests.
Dynamo increased the pace and unleashed a flurry of attacks on the opponent's goal.
Goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili has repeatedly come close to seeing the ball in the net of his own goal, but the selfless actions of the defenders saved him.
During one episode, Shimanski, N'Zhi and Fomin were alternately beaten at the goal, but all attempts were blocked.
The guests continued to advance and had more than one opportunity to come out ahead, but before the break they could not upset the opponent's goalkeeper.
This was not without controversial episodes.
In the 33rd minute Komlichenko once again dared to strike a long-range shot, and Nika Sandakhadze, who was on the border of the penalty area, stopped the ball with his hand.
The referee presented the Georgian with a yellow card, but limited himself to a free kick, although he had every reason to appoint an 11-meter one.
But at the end of the half, Abed returned the favor to the Muscovites and did not show the second yellow card to Skopintsev.
The left-back again missed the jerk of the jet Kirkitadze and was forced to throw himself into the tackle.
It was not possible to perform it cleanly again, but this time the French referee forgave the Russian.
It is not surprising that Novikov decided to reinsure and replaced Dmitry during the break.
Grigory Morozov appeared instead.
But already nine minutes later, it became clear that the mentor's tactical move did not work.
Morozov first slept through the cast to Kirkitadze, and then allowed him not only to take a horse gear, but also to break into the penalty area from the flank.
There followed a lumbago in the center, which Sikharulidze unimpeded.
A little later, Dynamo could have conceded the second goal, but Anton Shunin rescued his partners.
The match is over.
Dynamo loses in Tbilisi #LokomotivDinamo 2: 1 pic.twitter.com/gXR5eZBoLk
- FC Dynamo Moscow (@FCDM_official) September 17, 2020
The guests tried to go on the offensive, but the hosts prudently retreated to their half of the field and began to act as the second number.
At the same time, the railway workers managed to put pressure so impressively that they literally squeezed the blue and white towards the center of the field.
Novikov could not be satisfied with this, in connection with which he made two substitutions within nine minutes.
Lesovoy took the place of N'Zhi, and Sylvester Igbun - Philip.
Thus, Dynamo went all-in, switching to a scheme with two center-forwards.
However, these transformations did not bring the desired effect.
Muscovites still looked toothless in front and made mistakes from behind.
One of these oversights led to the second goal of Tbilisi and put the guests in a difficult situation.
All the same Morozov lost the horse fight, and Teimuraz Shonia beat Kabore and broke through to the gate.
He failed to hit, but Shunin hit the ball in front of him and allowed Mamia Gavashelishvili to finish the ball.
Dynamo tried to make a bulk, but with great difficulty created chances at the gates of Lokomotiv.
The first reason for optimism was Ivan Ordets' header after a corner kick.
The Ukrainian turned out to be the quickest of all in the penalty area, but Mamardashvili miraculously reacted and moved the ball to the crossbar.
But a minute before the end of regular time, the guests still won back one goal.
Lesovoy forced him to break the rules in the penalty area, and Komlichenko confidently converted the penalty.
But blue and white were not enough for more.
Novikov's wards got lost for long throws into the penalty area, but Komlichenko and the central defenders who helped him lost the horse fight over and over again.
Lokomotiv confidently brought the match to victory and blocked Dynamo's way to the group stage of the Europa League.