Dynamo Makhachkala proved a capable and very effective team in the division last season as they certainly punched above their weight for the most part. The final standings show them just two points clear of the bottom four but in truth they certainly finished quite slowly, knowing that they are all but safe with a month to go, and the table does not tell a full story.
They were always a tough nut to crack at the back thanks to the excellent discipline instilled by Khasanbi Bidzhiev,, while being a vertical threat on the counter with their speed and movement in space. The formula will likely remain unchanged for this season as the team from the Caspian region look to once again summon just about enough points to finish at least above the bottom four.
Rather concerningly with less than ten days before the start of the season, Dynamo have not really strengthened yet and are the only side in the division yet to sign a new player.
They have mostly kept the same squad but a pretty important player in Egias Caciantura will not be around anymore as he departed for Akhmat.
Gamid Agalaraov will be expected to provide the goals after finding some of his best form last season while Hossem Mrezigue and Nikita Glushkov were very solid and reliable in the middle of the park.
As a whole, the nucleus of the squad looks pretty decent and should be able to steer them to safety but if they start slow, there will not be too much margin for error for Bidzhiev.
