Dynamo Kyiv on a high as Porto come calling
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
Article summary
Serhiy Rebrov says there is a real buzz around a Dynamo Kyiv side that have won seven out of their last eight games as they prepare to take on Porto in Group G.
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Article body
- Serhiy Rebrov says there is a real buzz around Dynamo Kyiv ahead of their opening game
- Suspended Porto coach Julen Lopetegui strikes confident note too
- Dynamo and Porto meet for the seventh time; the Ukrainian side have just one victory
- Porto have won their last three matchday one fixtures without conceding
- Dynamo back in group stage after a two-year absence; it is Porto's fifth successive season
Possible lineups
Dynamo: Shovkovskiy; Danilo Silva, Dragovic, Khacheridi, Antunes; Rybalka, Veloso, Garmash, González, Yarmolenko; Moraes.
Out: Teodorczyk (leg), Makarenko (Achilles)
Doubtful: Sydorchuk (thigh)
Porto: Casillas; Maxi Pereira, Maicon, Martins Indi, Layun; Danilo, Herrera, Imbulla; Tello, Aboubakar, Brahimi.
Out: Varela (ankle), Marcano (suspended)
Serhiy Rebrov, Dynamo coach
There's a pretty big buzz around the game – me and the players can feel it. We are not afraid of anybody. I hope we can produce our best performance in front of our fans, at our home ground. Younes Belhanda labelled us group favourites? That's great, I like that attitude. It's just important that that confidence doesn't become complacency.
Porto always manage to find proper replacements for the players who leave the club. At the same time, their style of play has remained unchanged for so many years. They are very dangerous. That's why we have to show the utmost caution at the back.
Julen Lopetegui, Porto coach
We are highly motivated ahead of this game. We know enough about Dynamo. They are a famous club boasting rich exprerience in UEFA club competition, and they have quality players. The in-form Kyiv side are pacesetters in Ukrainian league. Dynamo started their season earlier then us but it's OK. We'll try to compensate for the lack of match practice with some other strong points. How? Tomorrow you'll find out.
Our calendar is rather heavy, we're up against Benfica soon. It's clear we have to look ahead but now we're focused on tomorrow's contest and we have to do our best. I'll be absent from the dug-out due to my ban but I'm fine with that. I have faith in my team and I hope they'll cope with the task.
Weekend results
Dynamo Kyiv 3-0 Olexandriya (Garmash 33, Vida 39, Danilo Silva 90+4)
Goals from Denys Garmash, Domagoj Vida and Danilo Silva earned Dynamo their sixth win in seven Premier-Liha games this term.
Arouca 1-3 Porto (Maurides 83; Jesús Manuel Corona 15 61, Aboubakar 71)
Porto remain unbeaten and top of the Portuguese Liga, two goals from Jesús Corona and one from Vincent Aboubakar securing maximum points against their neighbours.
Form guide (all competitions, most recent first)*
Dynamo: WDWWWW
Porto: WWDW
*This season only
Reporter's view: Igor Linnyk
Unlike their opponents, Dynamo managed to keep their squad largely intact over the summer. They also started their domestic season in mid-July and are therefore already close to optimal condition. Expect Dynamo to go for the win, potentially leaving the door open for Porto to hit them on the break.
Did you know?
The teams have met six times in this competition; see how their previous encounters went in our extensive match background.