Dnipro in control after overcoming Olympiacos

• Dnipro win first competitive game in over two months with two goals in five second-half minutes
• Nikola Kalinić's half-time introduction proves the difference
• Despite impressive domestic form, Olympiacos unable to threaten throughout
• The second leg is next Thursday in Greece, with the last 16 draw the following day

FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk produced a fine second-half performance to put themselves firmly in control of their UEFA Europa League round of 32 tie against Olympiacos FC.

After a disappointing first half, the introduction of Nikola Kalinić proved the catalyst for a more enterprising performance from Dnipro in the second. A deflected effort from Jaba Kankava gave them the lead on 50 minutes and four minutes later, Ruslan Rotan's viciously whipped free-kick towards the near post eluded everyone, including Roberto in the visiting goal.

Dnipro were unsurprisingly a little rusty in the first half, this being their first competitive game since 11 December due to the Ukrainian winter break. However, the Greek side failed to capitalise on that advantage, with speculative efforts from Arthur Masuaku and Mathieu Dossevi all they had to show.

The home team were a different proposition in the second half, with Kalinić's arrival leading them to adopt a 4-4-2 formation. It worked to perfection as Kankava's speculative drive from just outside the penalty area took a deflection off defender Felipe Santana and wrong-footed Roberto.

The Ukrainian side doubled their lead four minutes later through captain Rotan. He sent in a dangerous in-swinging right-footed free-kick towards the near post, which swept past everyone to guarantee Dnipro a well-deserved victory.