Game

“Dinamo” Tbilisi said goodbye to Europa League in Gabala. Unfortunately, the Georgian club with big history finished European season on July 9. There is not only one reason in victory of “Gabala”.

“Gabala” has experienced football players. “Dinamo” has young players, especially in offensive line. Perhaps, that is why Gia Geguchadze had Aleksandre Iashvili in lineup. The 37-year-old veteran has experience of playing in Azerbaijan. Perhaps, Geguchadze took this moment into consideration.

Generally, Geguchadze’s teams do not play such football. However, it is very tough to play well at European tournaments after the first preparation stage. New coach always needs time.

After the first leg “Dinamo” had to make accent on quick and technical game. However, “Gabala” had advantage during the second leg. Giorgi Kvilitaia’s good game is worth mentioning.

Florescu of Romania was the best in “Gabala”. He often participated in offence. In the first half his strong shots missed Hrdlicka’s net.

It is very tough to talk about the decisions of the referee. It is better to watch dubious episodes again. Totadze made foul on the opponent player. The second issue is that if he deserved red card. Totadze kicked the opponent only twice. However, the referee could have made another decision.

Before Totadze’s sent-off “Dinamo” improved playing. Giorgi Kvilitaia used mistakes of the opponent and scored a goal but the referee did not count it because the ball hit the hand of the Georgian. In other moments “Dinamo” controlled the ball but the team could not win the match with 10 players.

In the second half “Gabala” made some real goal moments, one of the them was followed by goal. Gia Geguchadze faced Zenjov’s team for the second time and this time he lost. In the first case the Estonian forward played for “Karpaty” Lviv and beat Geguchadze’s “Zestafoni” at Europa League. The difference is that the 26-year-old forward did not score goal against “Zestafoni” but he scored against “Dinamo”.

Despite playing with 10 players, “Dinamo” tried to make offences but their shots lacked accuracy.

Besides the game

During the match the local fans displayed banners and then burnt a Georgian flag.

The map of Azerbaijan was depicted on the first banner. According to this banner, Zaqatala, Kakhi and Marneuli belonged to Azerbaijan. In this case law enforcement officers acted timely but then some new banners showed up.

After the first goal Azerbaijani cook poured water over the Georgian journalists. Then, they insulted us.

After the match the fans of “Gabala” threw stones to the bus of “Dinamo” fan club “Gladiators”

During the Tbilisi match the local fans displayed banner at “Dinamo Arena”. According to this banner, Zaqatala and Kakhi belonged to Georgia but according to the decision of the law enforcement officers, the fans took the banner away. In the second leg the Azerbaijani side did not act in the same way which is contrary to the UEFA rules and requires sanctions.

Dima Sharikadze specially for worldsport.ge from Gabala