Dynamo return to European action for the first time since their underwhelming 0-0 draw against lowly Lugano, with a match up against their second Scandinavian opponents of the season.
In what has been a rather disappointing UEL campaign so far, in terms of performances, Dynamo will be looking to show a signal of intent as they face the side most likely to challenge them for top spot!
Despite that ‘blip’ against Lugano last time out, Mykhaylychenko seems to have sorted out his defence and they now boast a record of six consecutive clean sheets, without their first team goalkeeper featuring in the majority of them.
Shabanov and Kadar have impressed, whilst U20 World Cup winner Denys Popov finally got his first start of the season partnering the former on the weekend against Olexandria. Meanwhile, Kedziora and Mykolenko have also caught the eye from the fullback positions, with many tipping that Mykolenko will be on his way to a top European league by next summer.
However, for all of Dynamo’s defensive successes this season, the one dimensional nature of their attack and their lack of fluidity in midfield still prevails. Scoring goals against half formidable opposition remains a real struggle.
The forward burden has been thrust upon all three of Kyiv’s striking options and not one has made a case for being first choice (through no fault of their own in some circumstances). The recruitment of recent seasons has been and continues to be laid bare.
Meanwhile Benjamin Verbic plays against his former club for the first time since signing for Dynamo almost two years ago. However it’s uncertain whether the winger will even start with Carlos De Pena being one of the sole consistent performers for the club this season. On the other wing, Tsyhankov remains below his best raising questions as to whether he has what it takes to be a real leader in this side.
Copenhagen seem to be faring similarly to their Ukrainian counterparts. They sit second in the league and were runners up last season too. They too seem to struggle to find the net in their bigger games and as such, a low scoring game would not be surprising. Dynamo should have the edge if not only based on Copenhagen’s European away form, having scored just one goal in 4 UEL away games. Whilst the hosts have failed to score more than one goal in their last five.
Either way, it’s a big evening for Dynamo who need to get a result to push on with taking a grip of this group that they were expected to win with relative ease. 1-0 is inevitable right?
ДИНАМО ВПЕРЕД ⚪️🔵⚪️🔵
ZORYA LONDONSK 