The game against the leader of Romanian league FC Steaua București was expected with special interest.
First of all FC Dynamo Kyiv never defeated this opponent at home arena in euro cups before. Besides it was a possibility for the White-Blues to assay their strength shortly before the battle against FC Shakhtar Donetsk in the UPL.
Dynamo starting lineup was ordinary but for appearance of Mykyta Burda instead of injured Yevhen Makarenko.
It was noticeable that Serhiy Rebrov analyzed Steaua play in detail. Kyivans tried to start their attacks quickly and to create pressure on every inch of the field.
Five minutes before the break Dynamo opened the score. Younes Belhanda took the free kick and performed a lobbed pass to Yarmolenko. Andriy hit the target with one touch shot.
In the second half the White-Blues didn’t start playing for defense. They increased speed and pressure. Serhiy Sydorchuk won almost every scrimmage in the midfield and helped attacking players.
56 minutes into the game Jeremain Lens sent the ball forward to Silva, Danilo eluded defender and found Artem Kravets, who missed from perfect position.
A bit later Sydorchuk dispossessed opponent, passed to Belhanda, Younes created a chance for Lens, but Steaua keeper saved his team.
66 minutes into the match Lens put a cross into the box from the left flank, Yarmolenko passed to Kravets and Artem netted the ball!
Never the less Steaua managed to score. Keșerü touched the ball after cross from corner flag, it reached Rusescu and Raul headed it in.
Still a couple of minutes later Lukasz Teodorczyk hit the open goal after assist from Yarmolenko and made Romanian side supporters’ hope disappear.
After the second victory in a row Dynamo are leaders of the Europa League group J.
Europa League. Group stage matchday 2
02.10.2014. Kyiv. NSC Olimpiyskyi. 28,280 spectators
FC Dynamo Kyiv – FC Steaua București – 3:1 (1:0)
Dynamo: Rybka, Silva, Vida, Dragovic, Burda, Sydorchuk (Buialskyi, 76), Rybalka, Belhanda, Lens (Kalytvyntsev, 83), Yarmolenko (c), Kravets (Teodorczyk, 90).
Steaua: Arlauskis, Szukala, Papp, Latovlevici, Varela, Chipciu, Tănase (c), Prepeliță, Sânmărtean, Iancu (Stanciu, 57, Rusescu, 82), Keșerü.
Goals: Yarmolenko (assist – Belhanda), Kravets (66, assist – Yarmolenko), Teodorczyk (90+1, assist – Yarmolenko) – Rusescu (90).
Yellow cards: Rybalka (86) – Papp (39), Szukala (77).
On October 2 at 20:00 our team will start home match against the allegedly main opponent in the Europa League group J FC Steaua București.
Dynamo: rotation with no harm for results
The White-Blues are approaching the Europa League group stage matchday 2 in good mood. Results demonstrated by the team in recent times make supporters of the most titled club of Ukraine optimistic.
This season Kyivans won eight out of ten official games and played in a draw twice with goal difference 22 - 6.
It’s important that Dynamo coaching staff can conduct harmless squad rotation.
The most problematic for Serhiy Rebrov will be the choice of left back instead of injured Yevhen Makarenko. Still Oleh Husiev and Yevhen Selin are able to perform on this position.
Centre back Yevhen Khacheridi has already made two appearances after long break caused by injury.
Anyway the White-Blues head coach knows how to defeat Steaua: “Their leadership in domestic league and confident start in the Europa League mean a lot. Steaua play modern football. Getting ready for the match we watched a lot of Steaua games and we know how to defeat them. Besides fans will be supporting us”.
Steaua: to recondition after knockdown
Romanian side has already played 17 fixtures this season. Steaua won 13 of them and lost two. Two more games ended in a draw. Goal difference is 37 - 10.
Traditionally talent scouts of the club work very effectively to counter-balance regular loss of team leaders. Before the season start of the season Steaua signed such newcomers as goalkeeper Arlauskis, midfielders Breeveld and Bourceanu, defenders Luchin, Toșca, Papp, and forward Rusescu.
Besides this summer new head coach Constantin Gâlcă took charge of the team. He had a chance to outshine his successful predecessor Laurențiu Reghecampf at once, but in the Champions League playoff round the Red-Blues were outplayed by PFC Ludogorets Razgrad in a dramatic penalty shootout. Bulgarian side defender had to keep the goal and eventually he took his team to the group stage.
Still after such crushing blow Steaua pulled together and won five games in a row.
Leader of Romanian side attack is Claudiu Keșerü (pictured), who has already netted 10 goals in domestic league this season.
