Akhmat defeated Dynamo Makhachkala 3–2 in their Russian Premier League Matchday 8 encounter.
Midfielder Kalidou Sidibé scored for the hosts in the 58th minute, while Manuel Keliano struck the winner in the 86th. Dynamo defender Andrés Alarcón also scored an own goal in the 66th minute.
The visitors’ goals came from striker Gamid Agalarov in the 48th minute and defender Temirkhan Sundukov in the 64th.
Akhmat head coach Stanislav Cherchesov took questions from reporters at the post-match press conference:
— The match unfolded much as we had expected because we knew how our opponents would play. However, we lacked the necessary aggression and pace. In this league, you have to be more aggressive and put your opponents under enough pressure to force them into mistakes. We made changes in the second half to bring on some fresh legs, and the game changed. When a team are fully focused and determined, they can overcome any challenge. Unfortunately, we had to come from behind twice today, but we showed character and ultimately secured the win. We executed our game plan, aside from conceding those two goals. As I have said before, this team are playing a completely different style of football from last season. The next step is to improve defensively.
— How much did Dynamo’s enforced first-half change of goalkeeper contribute to Akhmat’s goals?
— We worked on set pieces throughout the week, giving the players specific instructions and rehearsing various routines. We scored some very good goals, and I do not think the change of goalkeeper had any bearing on them. Dynamo have two very capable goalkeepers. Of course, having to make that substitution was probably not ideal for my opposite number.
— What kind of emotional impact will a victory like this have on the dressing room?
— Every victory has an impact. I have been involved in so many matches that, important as this win was, I still see it as just one of 30 league games. We have another 22 matches ahead of us. We should be pleased with the performance, analyse the aspects we were unhappy with and then continue moving forward.
— How conscious were the players of the importance of this Caucasus derby?
— We spoke to the players about it. However, when I played and coached in Germany and Austria, people would tell me about the importance of certain derbies, but I had no personal connection to those rivalries. Sidibé, for example, might understand the rivalry between Paris and Marseille, but not necessarily the one between Grozny and Makhachkala.
— What would you like to say to the supporters after such an exciting victory?
— I always tell them, ‘Come to the stadium.’ I have yet to see the stands full. We scored three goals against Krylya Sovetov and four against Rostov, so we are doing our best to entertain our supporters. At the same time, we would love to see more of them in the stands. The twelfth man can help a team turn matches around and secure victories. We are showing through our actions, not just our words, how much we want to see more supporters at the stadium.
Akhmat vs Dynamo Makhachkala 3–2 (0–0)
13 September 2026, 14:30
Grozny, Akhmat Arena. Attendance: 4,699
Weather: +31°C, clear
Officials: Shafeev (Volgograd), Lunev (Novosibirsk), Petrov (Astrakhan)
VAR: Levnikov (St Petersburg), Zhabchenko (Krasnodar)
Akhmat: Ulyanov, Tshake, Sidibé, Bogosavac, Adamov, Ismael, Romão (Keliano, 65), Cacintura, Shchetinin (Pryakhin, 46), Samorodov (Kenzhebek, 85), Konaté (Melkadze, 46).
Head coach: Stanislav Cherchesov
Dynamo Makhachkala: Magomedov (Volk, 22), Alarcón, Alibekov, Makhamadzhonov, Sundukov, Apshatsev (Akhmedov, 72), Dzhabrailov (Smelov, 46), Mrezigue (Khubulov, 89), Lesovoy, Glushkov, Agalarov (Miro, 72).
Head coach: Vadim Evseev
Goals: Agalarov, 48 — 0–1; Sidibé, 58 — 1–1; Sundukov, 64 — 1–2; Alarcón, 66 (own goal) — 2–2; Keliano, 86 — 3–2.
Bookings: Ismael, 2; Romão, 45; Bogosavac, 69; Keliano, 80; Pryakhin, 90; Melkadze, 90 — Sundukov, 31; Dzhabrailov, 43; Apshatsev, 65; Alibekov, 84.
