On March 11 FC Dynamo Kyiv played the UEFA Europa League round of 16 first leg against Villarreal CF.
Traditionally the White-Blues have difficulties facing Spanish teams. Last time they defeated Spanish club in euro cups in 1999. Back then they succeeded against Real Madrid – 2:0. Since then they haven’t won a single one out of 16 games. Anyway, this time Mircea Lucescu’s men wanted to break this streak.
Supporters tried to make Dynamo rush forward early in the game, but home side let Villarreal take the ball under control. Visitors created the first chance in the 3rd minute, but Trigueros missed from close range.
Kyivans responded dangerously too. Tsyhankov tried to head the ball in after cross by Rodrigues from the left side, but failed to. Besedin could score in the 25th minute, but didn’t use a chance to hit the open goal.
In the 30th minute visitors opened the score. Dynamo coped with cross from the corner flag, but Spanish side returned the ball into the penalty area, where Moreno crossed to Pau Torres, who made it 0:1.
Early in the second half, Dynamo conceded another one. Moreno attempted with a header after cross from the left wing, Bushchan parried the shot, but then our defender didn’t cope with Raul Albiol, who netted the ball – 0:2.
Mircea Lucescu’s men had quite a lot of time remaining, but didn’t create a lot of scorning opportunities. Tsyhankov took a free kick pretty well, but missed a bit. Later he attempted from outside the box, but the ball went wide again. Visitors could score the third one, but Bushchan didn’t let Trigueros do it from inside the box.
So, it’s 0:2 home defeat. The second leg will take place on March 18 in Spain.
UEFA Europa League, round of 16, first leg
FC Dynamo Kyiv – Villarreal CF – 0:2
Dynamo: Bushchan, Kedziora (Karavayev, 84), Zabarnyi, Syrota, Mykolenko, Sydorchuk (Andriyevskyi, 68), Shaparenko (Shepelev, 68), Tsyhankov, Buialskyi, Rodrigues, Besedin.
Villarreal: Rulli, Foyth, Albiol, Pau Torres (Mori Funes, 46), Pedraza, Parejo, Capoue, Trigueros (Moi Gomez, 85), Chukwueze (Jaume Costa, 84), Alcacer (Bacca, 63), Moreno (Baena, 90).
Goals: Pau Torres (30), Albiol (52).
Booked: Sydorchuk (9) – Pedraza (24), Capoue (65).
On March 11 FC Dynamo Kyiv will host Villarreal CF in 2020/21 Europa League round of 16 first leg.
TEAMS’ PATH
Dynamo
- As the UPL runners-up, Dynamo started 2020/21 euro cups campaign with the Champions League qualification. They outplayed AZ Alkmaar and KAA Gent at this stage.
- At the group stage Kyiv side opposed Juventus, Barcelona and Ferencvarosi. Victory against Hungarian side in the last game let Mircea Lucescu’s men finish third and qualify for the Europa League playoffs. Generally Dynamo gained 4 points in the group (W-1, D-1, L-4, goal difference – 4:13).
- In the Europa League round of 32 Mircea Lucescu’s men outplayed Club Brugge KV (1:1, 1:0).
Villarreal
- Villarreal reached quarterfinals in the previous Europa League campaign and started with the group stage this time.
- Unai Emery’s men opposed Quarabag FK, Maccabi Tel Aviv FC and Sivasspor at the group stage. They won five games out of six and played in a draw once – against Maccabi.
- In the round of 32 Villarreal defeated FC Red Bull Salzburg (2:0, 2:1).
- The best striker of the team in the Europa League is Paco Alcacer with 5 goals to his name.
DOMESTIC LEAGUES PERFORMANCES
Dynamo
Dynamo finished the UPL first round on the top of the table. After the winter break Mircea Lucescu’s men are still there with FC Shakhtar Donetsk lacking four points behind.
Villarreal
Unai Emery’s men started the season pretty well and suffered only two defeats by the New Year, but at the moment they have winless streak that includes 8 games.
So far Villarreal are lacking 11 points behind the Champions League zone.
TECHNICAL DATA
FC Dynamo Kyiv – Villarreal CF
March 11 19:55, NSC Olimpiyskyi
Broadcasting – Football 1 TV channel
LINEUP ISSUES
Dynamo injured players: Popov, Verbic, Burda, Kostevych, Baluta
Undecided: Harmash, Tsyhankov
Villarreal injured players: Iborra
Undecided: Pena, Pino, Coquelin
