Dynamo powered by Barça challenge

Valeri Gazzaev says FC Dynamo Kyiv have "huge motivation" as they look ahead to what the coach describes as their most important match of the season against FC Barcelona. Victory would take the holders into the first knockout round as Group F winners while a draw would secure progress, but Josep Guardiola believes only three points will do. Gazzaev, whose side need to triumph and hope FC Internazionale Milano and FC Rubin Kazan draw, else win 2-0 or better to overtake Barça should there be a winner in Milan, is hoping "desire to fight" will make the difference in Kyiv.

Valeri Gazzaev, Dynamo coach
The group is very tight and all four teams still have a good chance to qualify. If we want to continue our Champions League campaign then we need a win, so our motivation is huge. The team understands the significance of the match, probably the most important of our season. Thus, I hope we play our best football. I know we're going to be tested by the best team in the world, but I also know what my players can do. All except Yevgen Khacheridi are fit and in good physical condition, not to mention full of desire to fight their way to the next round. However, only during the match itself will we discover our strengths and weaknesses – and I really hope the strengths prevail.

Josep Guardiola, Barcelona coach
We came here to win although a draw or narrow defeat would do for us. It's not the style of big teams to look at anything but victory. For us, this game is like a final because the result will determine our future in the Champions League; there won't be another chance to make up for lost time. Nevertheless, we didn't prepare in any special way; we've done our usual things. The situation in our group is very tough with the destiny of all four teams in their own hands, and since we are leaders we are expecting a successful end to the group stage. We are not going to wait for Dynamo to make the first move; we shall just play our game, although they're strong opponents with a glorious history.

Weekend results
05/12/09 FC Chornomorets Odesa 0-1 Dynamo 
(Yussuf 88)

• The clean sheet was Dynamo's fourth in succession in all competitions as they remained five points clear at the top of the Premier League.

• Yussuf's first league goal since 3 May 2008 ended Dynamo's run of 297 minutes without scoring.

05/12/09 RC Deportivo La Coruña 1-3 Barcelona
(Adrián 39; Messi 27 79, Ibrahimović 88)

• Barcelona claimed only their second win in five away games in all competitions. They drew the other three.

• Zlatan Ibrahimović has scored in each of Barça's three Liga games since the Matchday 5 victory at home to Inter, including the only goal as Barcelona beat Real Madrid CF on 29 November. The result lifted Barça above their rivals and to the top of the table.

Team news
Dynamo
Out: Yevgen Khacheridi (toe), Badr El Kaddouri (ankle)
Doubtful: none
Suspended: none
Misses next match if booked: Gérson Magrão, Artem Milevskiy, Andriy Shevchenko

• Leandro Almeida is available after a one-match ban.

Barcelona
Out: Jeffrén (knee)
Doubtful: Gabriel Milito (match fitness)
Suspended: none
Misses next match if booked: Carles Puyol

Background
• Dynamo will be looking to turn the clock back 12 years to the last time they welcomed Barcelona to Kyiv, when they won 3-0 in a UEFA Champions League group-stage match on 22 October 1997.

• Olexandr Shovkovskiy and Andriy Shevchenko were both in the Dynamo lineup that day. Sergio Busquets Sr, father of the present-day Barcelona midfielder, replaced the injured Ruud Hesp in goal for the visiting side during the second half.

• A fortnight later, Shevchenko hit a first-half hat-trick as Dynamo won 4-0 in Barcelona.

Did you know?
Guardiola was in the starting XI for the Catalan club when they last won in Kyiv – a 2-0 victory in the group stage of the 1991/92 European Champion Clubs' Cup.

For more information on the match in the official press kit, click here.