Paris Saint-Germain 0 - 0 Dinamo Zagreb
Drab draw as Zagreb stay top
Le Parc des Princes, Paris, France
Division 3C - 45000 fans watched Paris Saint-Germain and Dinamo Zagreb share the spoils at Le Parc des Princes, ensuring that Zagreb kept a slender 1 point lead at the top of Division 3C. Monaco AS had earlier lost to Malmö FF, ensuring that Zagreb were not overtaken but the signs were there that the Croatian club needs improving if they are to go all the way in the promotion race this season.
Dinamo's Australian defender Peter Michael had been rested after his exertions for his country previously, but Damir Milinovic made the most of his chance in the first team, showing glimpses of his old form as he marshalled the defence. Ruslan Kostishin was again having an off-day in front of goal, increasing speculation over whether his days at the club are numbered. In fact, Zagreb's players seemed to have been playing while asleep, creating little and seemingly content to pass the ball in the centre of the pitch.
The home team were equally lacklustre, with the exception being Man of the Match and goalkeeper Radu Borets who once again capped an excellent display with several splendid saves throughout the game. Other than Borets, former Zagreb reject Jari Mäkelä played as if he had something to prove, making good runs and showing tactical awareness in midfield. In only his third league appearance standing in for Josko Kurtovic who was prevented from playing against his own club as stipulated in his loan contract, Mäkelä outshone his more illustrious teamates, including the 73k rated veteran Mário Silva, who seemed to have disappeared from the game.
In fact, the first scoring chance only came in the 36th minute, when Juan Manuel Gutiérrez de Cos' cross-shot was palmed away bu Borets and out for a corner kick. Rados' excellent lob to the near post was met by the head of Milinovic but Borets proved equal to the task with a good reflex save.
Iñaki had a good chance to open accounts right after the break but screwed his shot into the stands after having been put through by Rados. P.S.G's sweeper Paulo Sergio Litos also cleared off the line in the 72nd minute as the pressure mounted. On the resulting counterattack, Manel Hurtado went free of his marker but shot disappointingly into the side netting.
As full time drew closer, Zagreb captain Rados seemed like a man possessed, fighting tigerishly for possession as he tried to lift his team mates, but it was to no avail as he only earned himself a booking that will rule him out of the next match in 4 days time.
Litos almost won the game for the hosts in the dying seconds with a firm header, but Sasha Sabick in the Zagreb goal was alert enough to punch the ball clear.
Dinamo's next match will be against K.A.A Gent at home, and while that may not seem such a stern test as P.S.G on paper, the Blues have to improve drastically if they do not want to lose their position at the top of the table.
Team Lineups
Le Parc des Princes, Paris, France
Division 3C - 45000 fans watched Paris Saint-Germain and Dinamo Zagreb share the spoils at Le Parc des Princes, ensuring that Zagreb kept a slender 1 point lead at the top of Division 3C. Monaco AS had earlier lost to Malmö FF, ensuring that Zagreb were not overtaken but the signs were there that the Croatian club needs improving if they are to go all the way in the promotion race this season.
Dinamo's Australian defender Peter Michael had been rested after his exertions for his country previously, but Damir Milinovic made the most of his chance in the first team, showing glimpses of his old form as he marshalled the defence. Ruslan Kostishin was again having an off-day in front of goal, increasing speculation over whether his days at the club are numbered. In fact, Zagreb's players seemed to have been playing while asleep, creating little and seemingly content to pass the ball in the centre of the pitch.
The home team were equally lacklustre, with the exception being Man of the Match and goalkeeper Radu Borets who once again capped an excellent display with several splendid saves throughout the game. Other than Borets, former Zagreb reject Jari Mäkelä played as if he had something to prove, making good runs and showing tactical awareness in midfield. In only his third league appearance standing in for Josko Kurtovic who was prevented from playing against his own club as stipulated in his loan contract, Mäkelä outshone his more illustrious teamates, including the 73k rated veteran Mário Silva, who seemed to have disappeared from the game.
In fact, the first scoring chance only came in the 36th minute, when Juan Manuel Gutiérrez de Cos' cross-shot was palmed away bu Borets and out for a corner kick. Rados' excellent lob to the near post was met by the head of Milinovic but Borets proved equal to the task with a good reflex save.
Iñaki had a good chance to open accounts right after the break but screwed his shot into the stands after having been put through by Rados. P.S.G's sweeper Paulo Sergio Litos also cleared off the line in the 72nd minute as the pressure mounted. On the resulting counterattack, Manel Hurtado went free of his marker but shot disappointingly into the side netting.
As full time drew closer, Zagreb captain Rados seemed like a man possessed, fighting tigerishly for possession as he tried to lift his team mates, but it was to no avail as he only earned himself a booking that will rule him out of the next match in 4 days time.
Litos almost won the game for the hosts in the dying seconds with a firm header, but Sasha Sabick in the Zagreb goal was alert enough to punch the ball clear.
Dinamo's next match will be against K.A.A Gent at home, and while that may not seem such a stern test as P.S.G on paper, the Blues have to improve drastically if they do not want to lose their position at the top of the table.
Team Lineups
posted by Jatex at 3:33 PM
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