
var ipImg = new ipPhoto('ipImg','ipLink','ipThumb', '/multimediafiles/photo/footballeurope/footballeurope/74/19/97/741997_biglandscape.jpg','l','/e/multimedia','photoid+741997');
Sargis Hovsepyan almost broke the deadlock (©Getty Images)FC
Pyunik and NK Dinamo Zagreb played out a goalless draw in the first leg
of their UEFA Champions League second qualifying round tie despite a
number of chances for both teams.
Bright opening
The
Armenian and Croatian champions both started brightly despite soaring
temperatures in Yerevan. The visitors came with the greater reputation
and looked more dangerous early on but it was Pyunik who forged the
first real opportunity when Markos Pizzelli found himself through on
goal following Dejan Lovren's mistake, only for goalkeeper Tomislav
Butina to save his shot. At the other end, Dinamo were reduced to
attempts from distance by solid defending, yet Edvard Hovhannisyan
still had to react quickly to parry a wicked Milan Badelj effort after
32 minutes.
Pyunik pushed back
The home
side's No1 then denied Sammir from close range shortly after the
restart, before Butina had to stretch himself to deny Pizzelli. With
Dinamo dominating possession, Pyunik played on the counterattack and
came close to scoring through captain Sargis Hovsepyan on 73 minutes,
with a last-ditch tackle ultimately ending his run. Substitute Miroslav
Slepička and Igor Bišcan then went close for Dinamo in the closing
moments, leaving their opponents the chance to spring an upset in
Zagreb next week.