Dynamo Kyiv out to end wait with knockout blow
Tuesday, December 8, 2015
Article summary
Serhiy Rebrov led the Dynamo Kyiv attack the last time they reached the last 16 in 1999/2000; 16 years on and he is a win against Maccabi Tel-Aviv away from ending the wait.
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Article body
- Win will take Dynamo into last 16 for first time in 16 years
- Ukrainian champions have drawn both Group G home games so far
- Eliminated Maccabi aiming to avoid joining 16 teams to exit without a point
- Fixture takes place behind closed doors after fan disturbances on matchday three
- Serhiy Rebrov warns Maccabi have been unlucky against every opponent in Group G
Possible lineups
Dynamo: Shovkovskiy; Danilo Silva, Dragovic, Khacheridi, Antunes; Rybalka, Sydorchuk, Garmash, González, Yarmolenko; Moraes.
Out: none
Doubtful: Kravets (unspecified)
Maccabi: Rajković; Dasa, García, Tibi, Ben Harush, Rikan; Alberman, Igiebor, Peretz; Ben Chaim, Zahavi.
Out: Radonjić (ankle), Ben Haim (suspended)
Doubtful: Azulay (hamstring)
Serhiy Rebrov, Dynamo coach
I don't agree that Maccabi are underdogs. They are a very strong team who eliminated Basel [in the play-offs], which is very telling. They created opportunities against us [on matchday two], as well as against Porto and Chelsea, but they have been a bit unlucky in the group.
That's why my players have to avoid thoughts of us being favourites. We have to play as a team in attack and defence. We understand the importance of the result and we must not miss this opportunity.
Dynamo had great times [in the late 90s] and our fans would be happy to return to those heights.
Slaviša Jokanović, Maccabi coach
It is a game against one of the biggest teams in Europe in the most important club competition – that is motivation enough for us. It's a pity we will play behind closed doors, though. It's no advantage for us.
We have had a great tournament overall. We eliminated two very strong teams, Basel and Plzeň, in the qualifiers. Obviously we are not happy being without a point but it has been a great experience.
We want to become established in this competition and this is another step towards doing that.
Weekend results
Metalurh Zaporizhya 0-6 Dynamo Kyiv (Yarmolenko 8, Petrović 22, Garmash 47, Teodorczyk 61, Gusev 86pen 90+2)
Dynamo Kyiv head into the winter break level on points with Shakhtar at the Ukrainian Premier League summit after racking up their biggest top-flight victory of the campaign against winless bottom side Metalurh Zaporizhya.
Hapoel Kfar-Saba 0-0 Maccabi Tel-Aviv
Maccabi's four-game lsraeli Premier League winning run came to a halt after they were held to a goalless draw which allowed Hapoel Beer Sheva to join the leaders on 29 points.
Form guide (all competitions, most recent first)
Dynamo: WWWWWL
Maccabi: DWLWWL
Reporter's view: Igor Linnyk
It's been a while since Dynamo got to the knockout phase, in fact it was back in 1999/2000 when current coach Serhiy Rebrov was still playing under Valeriy Lobanovskyi. The home side have everything in their favour apart from the empty stands, but Dynamo should experience no lack of commitment in the decisive clash against point=less Maccabi.
Did you know?
Dynamo's 2-0 matchday two win in Israel was their first UEFA Champions League group-stage away victory in seven years; the match background has this and more.