Kazan-born Rubin midfielder Oleg Ivanov has named Uruguay international Diego Laxalt the standout performer of the first half of the 2023/24 Russian Premier League season. He shared his assessment with Sports Express, emphasizing the Uruguayan’s impact on Dynamo Moscow.
Ivanov believes Laxalt stood out across the opening months, praising Marcel Licka for discovering a new role that unlocked the winger’s full potential. The former Dinamo player notes that the team’s game now hinges on Laxalt, with the midfielder shaping the balance between defense and attack by refining the support zone. In Ivanov’s view, Laxalt moved from a role previously described as a “breakwater” to a more dynamic, all-around presence. He is tough, agile, and durable, and he also demonstrates high technical quality, with exceptional spatial awareness and decision-making that prevents unnecessary ball losses.
During this season, Laxalt has appeared in 17 matches across all competitions for the blue-white squad, contributing four assists in those fixtures. His influence is reflected not just in statistics but in the tempo and cohesion of Dynamo’s play, as the team frequently builds attacks through his positioning and distribution, creating space for teammates and maintaining defensive solidity when the ball is lost.
At the midseason point, Dynamo sits in third place in the RPL standings with 32 points collected. The Russian Championship will resume after a winter break, with the league’s 19th round kicking off on March 3. Dynamo’s next challenge is a clash with Lokomotiv Moscow, a fixture that could prove pivotal in shaping the second half of the campaign for this ambitious squad.
Ivanov’s observations align with broader analyses from coaches and pundits who have followed Laxalt’s career. His ability to operate effectively under pressure, read the game, and translate that understanding into precise, high-impact actions has become a hallmark of his performances in Moscow. This season has highlighted how a single, well-utilized creative presence can elevate an entire team, especially when supported by a sturdy defensive unit and a disciplined midfield that can sustain transitions from defense to attack with speed and accuracy. Dynamo’s tactical setup appears to be leveraging Laxalt’s strengths to maintain pressing intensity and to create opportunities for forwards and attacking midfielders, contributing to a more balanced and threatening overall style of play.
Beyond the club’s immediate results, analysts note that Laxalt’s adaptation to European football and his integration within Dynamo’s system speak to his versatility and professionalism. His time in Moscow has offered him opportunities to develop his technical repertoire, improve positional discipline, and refine his understanding of the tactical cues that drive modern football at the highest level. For Dynamo and their supporters, Laxalt’s continued form could prove crucial as the team eyes a strong finish to the season and potential qualification for European competition in the following campaign. The season’s opening months have already demonstrated the value of a player who can influence both ends of the pitch with intelligence, endurance, and creative flair, attributes that Laxalt has consistently displayed throughout his career and that he has brought to Dynamo Moscow in 2023/24.
Notes from the season show a player who balances technique with tenacity, able to execute under pressure while maintaining a clear view of the field, enabling teammates to exploit spaces and counter-opportunities as they arise. As the league reopens in March, observers will be watching Laxalt’s ongoing contribution to Dynamo’s tactical plan, and whether his form can sustain the momentum that has made him a focal point of the squad’s strategy this season. The confluence of his personal development and the collective improvement of the team signals a compelling narrative for Dynamo’s prospects in the months ahead.