FC Dynamo Kyiv have defeated FC Steaua București away within the Europa League group stage last match – 2:0.

Kyivans drew only once in eight previous games and succeeded in other seven. Being domestic league leaders they left for Bucharest to win the group. Draw would have been a satisfactory result for that, but Serhiy Rebrov’s men don’t set such goals.

Despite long tournament distance and fatigue first team regulars took the field. Mykyta Burda replaced suspended Domagoj Vida while Oleh Husiev featured instead of Danilo Silva.

Romanian side started the game actively and make Olexandr Shovkovskyi work a lot. Tănase and Chipciu unleashed good shots, but our goalkeeper coped with them. Still the White-Blues also had chances to open the score in the first half. Jeremain Lens performed three great passes, but Artem Kravets and Andriy Yarmolenko failed to use them.

Steaua used side attacks really effectively. It’s difficult to say what the final score would have been but for Shovkovskyi. Our skipper demonstrated incredible saves 42 and 45 minutes into the game.

After the break both teams had a lot of chances and Serhiy Rebrov’s men managed to pull out victory. Serhiy Sydorchuk, who made a substitute appearance, assisted Andriy Yarmolenko, who scored in one-on-one situation. Several seconds before the time Yarmolenko found Lens, who eluded goalkeeper and netted the ball from 25-meter-distance!

So, Dynamo have won the group! Round of 32 drawing will take place on December 15 in Nyon.

Europa League. Group stage matchday 6

11.12.2014. Bucharest. Arena Națională

FC Steaua București – FC Dynamo Kyiv – 2:0 (0:0)

Steaua: Arlauskis, Szukala, Papp, Varela, Chipciu, Filip (Latovlevici, 79), Tănase (C) (Popa, 78), Prepeliță, Sânmărtean, Bourceanu (Rusescu, 61), Keșerü.

Dynamo: Shovkovskyi (C), Burda, Khacheridi, Dragović, Husiev, Miguel (Sydorchuk, 65), Rybalka, Belhanda (Buialskyi, 81), Lens, Yarmolenko, Kravets (Mbokani, 79).

Goals: Yarmolenko (71), Lens (90+4).

Booked: Papp (45) – Dragović (25), Miguel (52), Burda (81).

FC Dynamo Kyiv will face FC Steaua București away within the Europa League group stage matchday 6. The game will start on December 11 at 22:05 at the Arena Națională.

Dynamo: full speed on the final straight

“I even regret that the first part of the season is over, because the way our performers play and work on the pitch deserves respect”, - stated Serhiy Rebrov after victory against FC Metalurh Donetsk.

Dynamo won four last games by two or three goals. After the previous match against Steaua the White-Blues played 11 fixtures. They defeated their opponents nine times and lost only once. One more game ended in a draw. Serhiy Rebrov’s men netted 23 goals.

Kyivans have already qualified for the Europa League round of 32, but they haven’t guaranteed the first place for themselves yet. To do that Dynamo need at least draw in Bucharest. That’s what Serhiy Rebrov aims for.

Success in Bucharest is important for several reasons mentioned by Ihor Surkis:

“It’s important for us to win the group. In such a case we’ll play the first leg in February away not with a team that tumbles out of the Champions League. Every detail matters in football”, - said Dynamo president after the game against Aalborg BK.

At the moment Kyivans don’t have squad problems. The majority of performers are in good conditions. Still Denys Harmash, Yevhen Makarenko and Yevhen Selin keep recovering from injuries.

Steaua: with a careful eye to Portugal

Steaua approach the game against Dynamo as domestic league leaders with opponents lacking nine points behind them.

After the match at the NSC Olimpiyskyi Romanian side played 13 fixtures, won 10 of them and lost only two.

Narrow defeat against Aalborg (0:1) made Steaua qualification for the Europa League knock-out stage doubtful. Now they must win against Dynamo and hope that Aalborg won’t be victorious over Rio Ave FC.

Constantin Gâlcă’s men played the last Romanian league match in reserve kit with emblem of the club covered because Ministry of Defense lawsuit.

Previous match

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)

Goals: Yarmolenko (40, assist – Belhanda), Kravets (66, assist – Yarmolenko), Teodorczyk (90+1, assist – Yarmolenko) – Rusescu (90).