On October 20 FC Dynamo Kyiv hosted Juventus FC at the NSC Olimpiyskyi within the UEFA Champions League group stage matchday 1.
Visitors came to Kyiv with certain lineup issues. Of course their biggest loss was Cristiano Ronaldo, who’s got COVID-19.
As for Dynamo, the majority of the White-Blues followed the Champions League group stage games only on TV before. Only Sydorchuk, Verbic, Tsyhankov, Harmash and Buialskyi used to feature on this level.
It was quite obvious that Kyivans were nervous at first. They maintained possession, but only in defensive half. When trying to attack they often lost the ball. Juventus didn’t rush things, but Bushchan still had work to do. For example, our keeper parried decent attempt by Chiesa and then coped with backheel by Kulusevski.
Anyway, La Vecchia Signora managed to do what they failed to in the first half right after the break. Chiesa eluded Tsyhankov in the left side, put a cross into the box, Ramsey passed to Kulusevski. Bushchan parried Dejan’s shot, but Morata was there to send the ball into the net.
Mircea Lucescu’s men couldn’t do anything in terms of attacking actions for a while although the White-Blues tried to apply pressure. Approaching the end of the game Kyivans started shooting, but that didn’t result in anything.
In the 84th minute visitors doubled the score. Morata headed the ball in after cross by Cuadrado from the right side.
Dynamo could pull one back in a stoppage time, but Juventus keeper coped with the strike by Sydorchuk and then Shaparenko missed the upper V taking a free kick.
So, it’s 0:2 – Dynamo start the group stage with home defeat. On October 28 the White-Blues will face Ferencvarosi TC away.
UEFA Champions League, group stage, matchday 1
FC Dynamo Kyiv – Juventus FC – 0:2
Dynamo: Bushchan, Sydorchuk, Shaparenko, de Pena (Rodrigues, 60), Tsyhankov (Verbic, 70), Mykolenko, Karavayev (Popov, 70), Zabarnyi, Buialskyi (Harmash, 89), Supriaha, Kedziora.
Juventus: Szczesny, Chiellini (Demiral, 19), Ramsey (Bernardeschi, 79), Morata, Danilo, Cuadrado, Bonucci, Chiesa, Rabiot, Bentancur (Arthur, 79), Kulusevski (Dybala, 56).
Goals: Morata (46, 84).
Booked: Bentancur (45), Cuadrado (50), Demiral (58).
On Tuesday, October 20, FC Dynamo Kyiv will play the 2020/2021 Champions League group stage first game. The White-Blues will host the Italian side Juventus FC at the NSC Olimpiyskyi.
TEAMS’ PATH
- Having finished second in the UPL last season, Dynamo started the Champions League campaign with the third qualifying round.
- Mircea Lucescu’s men defeated AZ Alkmaar at the home ground (2:0) and then outplayed KAA Gent in two-match duel (2:1 away, 3:0 at home).
Dynamo – AZ – 2:0
Goals: Rodrigues (48), Shaparenko (86)
Gent – Dynamo – 1:2
Goals: Kleindienst (41) – Supriaha (9), de Pena (79)
Dynamo – Gent – 3:0
Goals: Buialskyi (9), de Pena (36, pen.), Rodrigues (49, pen.)
- Last season Juventus won the Serie A for the ninth time in a row. Having gained 83 points they left Inter Milan one point behind.
- As far as Juventus won the Serie A last season, they start the Champions League campaign with group stage.
LINEUP CHANGES
Dynamo
- Following players have joined the team: Bohdan Liedniev (attacking midfielder), Olexandr Tymchyk (right back), Roman Vantukh (left back), Akhmed Alibekov (centre back), Gerson Rodrigues (forward), Vladyslav Supriaha (centre forward), Denys Harmash (midfielder), Tudor Baluta (supporting midfielder), Volodymyr Kostevych (left back), Clayton (forward).
- Following players have left the team: Josip Pivaric (left back), Ibrahim Kargbo (centre forward, loan move), Benito (forward, loan move), Mohammed Kadiri (supporting midfielder), Roman Vantukh (left back), Akhmed Alibekov (centre back), Serhiy Buletsa (attacking midfielder), Fran Sol (forward).
Juventus
- Following players have left the team: Miralem Pjanic (supporting midfielder), Simone Muratore (midfielder), Daniele Rugani (centre back), Douglas Costa (right winger), Gonzalo Higuain (forward), Blaise Matuidi (midfielder), Mattia De Sciglio (right back).
- Following players have joined the team: Arthur Melo (midfielder), Alvaro Morata (forward), Weston McKennie (midfielder), Federico Chiesa (forward), Stefano Gori (goalkeeper).
LINEUP ISSUES
Dynamo
Injured defenders Mykyta Burda and Olexandr Tymchyk will definitely miss the game.
Juventus
Two Italian side players have got positive COVID-19 tests results – Cristiano Ronaldo and Weston McKennie. It’s also questionable whether Aaron Ramsey, Alex Sandro and Matthijs de Ligt will take the field.
Domestic leagues start
Dynamo have played 10 games in all competitions this season. In the UPL the White-Blues share the first place with FC Vorskla Poltava having 14 points. In the Champions League qualification Mircea Lucescu’s men have outplayed two opponents. Besides they’ve defeated FC Shakhtar Donetsk in the Ukrainian Super Cup (3:1).
Juventus have played only three Serie A fixtures so far and won one of them (two draws).
TECHNICAL DATA
FC Dynamo Kyiv – Juventus FC
October 20, 19:55, NSC Olimpiyskyi
Broadcaster – Football 1
Officials
Referee – Ovidiu Hategan
Assistant referees – Octavian Sovre, Sebastian Gheorghe
Fourth official – Sebastian Coltescu
VAR referee – Bastian Dankert, VAR assistant referee – Harm Osmers
Opposition history
1997/1998 UEFA Champions League, quarterfinal
04.03.1998. Juventus – Dynamo – 1:1
18.03.1998. Dynamo – Juventus – 1:4
2002/2003 UEFA Champions League, group stage
24.09.2002. Juventus – Dynamo – 5:0
13.11.2002. Dynamo – Juventus – 1:2
