There are some matches where after 5-7 minutes the difference between the clubs is big; simple moving and opening: accurate assist in one touch which economizes energy; defenders in offence; one-two individualist who does not lose ball; we say nothing about strength; it is class in whole.
We did not mention economizing energy accidentally. Yesterday “Steaua” Bucharest could have played for other 90 minutes. The team played so pleasantly for the last 30 minutes that one could have thought the club rested for one hour. When central defender Chiriches received ball, he carried it till the position of central forward.
It is class too. “Dinamo” Tbilisi is not physically, technically and morally ready to plays such team as “Steaua” for 90 minutes.
Such team has not arrived in Georgia for the last 10 years. We can argue about “Sporting” Lisbon but everybody remembers its result – 0:4. Today’s “Steaua” is the club which won the Romanian League with 20-point handicap and several months ago it defeated “Chelsea” London in ¼ final.
“Roma” and “Tottenham” have fight because of Chiriches. Georgian players go to Russian or Ukrainian clubs. We do not blame only the Georgian players: everybody knows the Romanian League. People look aslant at the Georgian Championship. We must win the qualifying round of Champions League but we cannot do it – in short, it is a chain reaction.
…One day before the match Dusan Uhrin stated if “Steaua” had scored one goal, we would have scored two. Offensive teams make such statements – for example, Josep Guardiola could have said such thing or Feola and Zagallo in the old Brazilian team. In the 80s “Real” was also offensive club. “Dinamo” is not ready to offer such football to “Steaua”.
Perhaps, the Czech coach wanted to elevate mood of his player. Uhrin who has worked in Romania must know that “Steaua” is not Georgian 6-month club which he defeated 4:0 and 5:1. The Romanians have Tanase who held concert on left wing. Uhrin had Glisic on this position – there is a big difference between these two players.
In spite of such difference in class, there was a moment 0:0 which could have changed the situation – Xisco could not score penalty.
At the press conference Uhrin explained this missed penalty several times. But you must fail the last half hour because of it? Now it is easy to say – “If Xisco had scored, we would have won”. Yes, it was a turning moment of the match but strong team must not be broken morally. We remember some examples: in 1987 “Dinamo” played “Lokomotive” Sofia at UEFA Cup. “Dinamo” lost 1:3 away and in Tbilisi Ramaz Shengelia could not score penalty at the first minute. Finally, we won 3:0 but the difference was that old “Dinamo” knew its strength.
It is a pity there is no reserve in the team of Uhrin: Merebashvili tried to pass two-three players. Individualism is good but it must have limit. Giorgi lost the ball so many times that coach would change him in other club. But who can replace him? Dorin Goga practiced in the club for several days – it was late for him to play.
Elguja Grigalashvili is the only progressive player who “Dinamo” added this summer. He started some good offences and was trying to settle the match.
This match showed that the Georgian Championship is far from those goals to play in the group round of Champions League. We had the most unfavorable rival but at the second stage we had the most favorable opponent. So, we have nothing to complain about.
Ilia Nanobashvili
