FC Dynamo Kyiv have lost the first Champions League group stage game – against SSC Napoli – at the NSC Olimpiyskyi – 1:2.
Serhiy Rebrov surprised everyone with starting lineup. As for appearance of Yevhen Makarenko on the position of right back, one could predict that, but no one expected to see 18-year-old winger Viktor Tsyhankov among first eleven.
Dynamo started the game right off the boat. Less than a minute into the match Sydorchuk noticed that Reina was far from the goal line and tried to score from the midfield, but Napoli keeper saved his team. Still after that the White-Blues didn’t have a lot of dangerous attacks.
Soon visitors took the ball under control, but also didn’t create chances. Anyway halfway through the first half Kyivans opened the score. After cross from the left flank Tsyhankov passed to Harmash, who hit the bottom corner – 1:0!
Ten minutes later Napoli equalized with a help of simple combination. Ghoulam put a cross into the box, Shovkovskyi didn’t clear the ball and Milik headed it in – 1:1. Still that wasn’t the last trouble for Dynamo. Right before the break Milik scored another header and sent his team up – 1:2.
Such score made Dynamo attack actively, but Napoli applied pressure effectively and didn’t let the White-Blues create chances. In the second half Serhiy Rebrov’s men didn’t unleash a single shot on goal. 68 minutes into the game referee booked Sydorchuk for diving. That was his second yellow card of the game, so he was sent off.
So, Dynamo start the Champions League campaign with defeat, but it’s not a reason to throw in the towel.
UEFA Champions League
Group B, matchday 1
FC Dynamo Kyiv – SSC Napoli – 1:2 (1:2)
Dynamo: Shovkovskyi (c) – Makarenko, Vida, Khacheridi, Antunes – Rybalka (Korzun, 81) – Yarmolenko, Sydorchuk, Harmash, Tsyhankov (Husiev, 73) – Moraes (Hladkyi, 87).
Napoli: Reina – Hysaj, Albiol, Koulibaly, Ghoulam – Allan, Jorginho, Hamšík (c) (Zielinski, 62) – Callejon, Mertens (Insigne, 73) – Milik (Gabbiadini, 82).
Goals: Harmash (26) – Milik (36, 45+2).
Booked: Sydorchuk (9), Harmash (56) – Milik (65).
Sent off: Sydorchuk (68, second booking).
On September 13 the White-Blues will start new Champions League campaign with home fixture against SSC Napoli.
The forthcoming battle, that starts at 21:45 at the NSC Olimpiyskyi, is going to be really interesting.
FC Dynamo Kyiv
Summer transfer window was period of search for many Dynamo performers. Eventually Austrian centre back Aleksandar Dragovic was signed by Bayer 04 Leverkusen, halfback Younes Belhanda signed loan agreement with OGC Nice, forward Lukasz Teodorczyk joined RSC Anderlecht, striker Artem Kravets – Granada CF and finisher Dieumerci Mbokani – Hull City FC. Portuguese midfielder Miguel Veloso returned to Genoa CFC.
Meanwhile only halfback Artem Hromov and forward Olexandr Hladkyi joined our team.
The White-Blues have already won the national Super Cup this season. Still Serhiy Rebrov’s men have suffered unexpected defeat against FC Vorskla Poltava in domestic league. After that Kyivans drew against FC Shakhtar Donetsk away.
Right back Danilo Silva got injured in the recent game against Donetsk side, so he’ll miss the match against Napoli.
SSC Napoli
Unlike Dynamo, Napoli enforced the team really actively before their third Champions League campaign. Having got 90 million euro for Gonzalo Higuain from Juventus, Naples side signed seven newcomers. They are: defenders Lorenzo Tonelli, Nikola Maksimovic, halfbacks Piotr Zielinski, Amadou Diawara, Emanuele Giaccherini, Marko Rog and Arkadiusz Milik. According to Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentis the club generally spent 140-150 million euro in summer.
Napoli started Serie A season with 2:2 draw against Persara, but then defeated AC Milan – 4:2 and Palermo – 3:0.
Speaking about plans for the Champions League, team captain Marek Hamsik stated:
- We want to succeed in the Champions League. Napoli can feature in three competitions as we have good lineup.
Important peculiarity: Dynamo have won only two games against Italian teams out of 20 in euro cups…
