The White-Blues aim is victory, which will let them qualify for the knock-out stage.
The White-Blues on winning run
FC Dynamo Kyiv participate in the Europa League group stage for the fourth time and only in 2011/12 season they didn’t manage to reach the round of 32.
The White-Blues will oppose Portuguese club for the eighth time in European contests. At the moment Kyivans have negative balance in matches against representatives of this country – two victories (against SL Benfica and Boavista FC – 1:0), three defeats (1:2 against FC Porto (twice) and Sporting CP) and two draws (SC Braga 1:1 and FC Porto 0:0).
After lopsided away victory against Rio Ave FC (3:0) Dynamo played 11 matches in different competitions. They won nine of them and lost one. One more game ended in a draw. Goal difference is 23-7.
Such run has let Serhiy Rebrov’s men be leaders in the Ukrainian Premier League and Europa League standings and reach the Ukrainian Cup quarterfinal.
“Big River” grows small
Rio Ave FC never faced Ukrainian teams before the home match against FC Dynamo Kyiv on September 18 as this is their first season in euro cups.
Defeat against the White-Blues (0:3) has had a negative impact on Pedro Martins’s men.
The team won five matches (two in the Primeira Liga) out of 13, lost five (two in the Europa League) and drew three times. Goal difference is 15:14.
“Big River” has lost the chance to qualify for the Europa League next stage. In domestic league standings the White-Greens are 7th.
Still it should be mentioned that Rio Ave didn’t concede in three previous fixtures.
Both sides’ pros and cons
Dynamo centre back Aleksandar Dragović will miss the forthcoming game due to the red card he got as Kyivans faced Aalborg BK. Speaking about Rio Ave suspended performers, they are defender Prince and halfback Wakaso.
The White-Blues left back Yevhen Makarenko and supporting midfielder Denys Harmash are still recovering from injuries. Visitors’ injured player is Tarantini.
As for both sides’ key performers, Dynamo left winger Jeremain Lens is in great conditions.
He netted three goals in five previous games. Rio Ave representatives Diego Lopes and Ahmed Hassan demonstrate same results.
Oleh Zadernovskyi
Copyright © 2014 FC Dynamo Kyiv
