Porto head east, again: the lowdown on Dynamo Kyiv

For what seems like the umpteenth time, FC Porto have been paired with East European opposition in the group stage of the Champions League, more specifically, Ukrainian champions Dynamo Kyiv.

Russian football expert, UEFA.com commentator and PortuGOAL friend John Bradley gives us the lowdown on Dynamo and also an update on the progress of Portuguese pair Miguel Veloso and Antunes (pictured) in Kyiv.

  

1. How did Dynamo get here? Give us a quick guide to Dynamo Kyiv’s path to the group stage of the Champions League.

As champions of Ukraine, Dynamo were allowed access into the group stage of this season’s competition. They won the league at a canter last season (no mean feat given the challenge of Dnipro and Shakhtar) as they picked up their first title in 6 years under the guidance of Serhiy Rebrov in his first season in charge. Rebrov revitalised the club with his approach and tended to introduce more Ukrainian players in his line-ups than previous coaches have done. This galvanised the club and gave them a real togetherness.

  

2. Current form. How have Dynamo looked form-wise in recent weeks?

They went through the entirety of last season unbeaten as they completed the domestic double and they are unbeaten so far this season, including an impressive away win at last season’s Europa League finalists Dnipro. They don’t concede many goals domestically, although their defensive line can have a frailer look against better opposition in Europe

 

3. Ones to watch – Who are Dynamo’s star players?

The obvious one would be Andriy Yarmolenko, the golden boy of Ukrainian football. We spent the entire summer wondering where he would end up as he was linked to big clubs all across Europe, but the right move never materialised and he is now spending the final year of his contract in Kyiv before moving on next summer. He has long been touted as a player of outstanding ability, but only in the last 12-18 months has he put together consistent performances that fulfilled that billing.

Big things are also expected of former Benfica youngster Derlis Gonzales. The Paraguayan international moved to the Olimpiyskiy from Basel in the summer after impressing in Switzerland and scoring twice in the Champions League for Basel last season against Real Madrid and Ludogorets. He is the replacement for Jeremain Lens who moved to the English premier league and is sure to catch the eye with his pace.

 

4. Strong points/weak points – what must Porto beware of and what can they exploit?

Their solidity is their strength with a midfield that works hard to win the ball and keep it, led by Miguel Veloso with Ukrainians Rybalka and Sydorchuk getting through a mountain of work. They then look to the talents of Yarmolenko and Younes Belhanda to create chances. The back four can sometimes look a little suspect though, as I mentioned and you sometimes have your heart in your mouth watching Vida, Danilo Silva, Khacheridi and even Aleksander Dragovic, who has been linked with some of Europe’s top clubs in the past year. The Austrian is widely tipped to join one of the ‘big boys’ but still looks rash at times and capable of a big error.

 

5. Formation and playing style – what system do Dynamo usually play? Would you describe them generically as an attacking or a defensive team?

Rebrov has built a side that can sit deep when it needs to and press high, depending on how the game is going, I think away from home you will see them sit deep and look to hit sides on the break, but in home games at the wonderful Olimpiskiy, you will see them try and take the game to the opposition. That tactic worked pretty well for them in the Europa League last season and they will stick to that tried and trusted method in their usual formation that you can call a 4-1-4-1.

  

6. What are the local press saying about the tie? Who are considered favourites to progress?

There is a caution among Dynamo fans given that this is their first season in the Champions League in 6 years, so it will be something of a learning curve. That said, they are expected to challenge Porto for the second spot in the group although nobody expects them to repeat the feats of the great Valeriy Lobanovskyi’s team that reached the semi finals in 1999. I think everybody is expecting Chelsea to win the group despite their terrible start to the English Premier League season.

 

7. Mood in the camp – judging by player/coach quotes regarding this game, do you think Dynamo come into the match in a confident frame of mind?

Without a shadow of a doubt. There is real excitement at returning to the Champions League and the Olimpiyskiy will be bouncing for the games. It’s a stadium that really generates atmosphere for big matches and the players have all spoken about how hearing the UEFA Champions League anthem should inspire them to step up a level from the Ukrainian League

 

8. What do you think the result of the match will be?

I think there will be pressure on Dynamo to win their home game against Porto and get off to a good start. It’s a good opportunity to lay down a marker for the group fixtures and they do go into the game with real confidence. As always with Porto, players come and go every season but I think Dynamo will be wary of the threat of this year’s Porto and it will be quite a cautious game.

 

9. A quick note on Miguel Veloso Antunes. Both seem to be thriving in Kyiv, the former even making a successful return to the national team. How are they viewed by the Dynamo fans?

Miguel Veloso is in his 4th year in Kyiv now and has become a real leader for the team (he’s already scored twice in the league this season which levels his total for the last 2 seasons combined). He moved to Ukraine for quite a decent fee but suffered in his first couple of seasons as a real malaise spread throughout the club.

Antunes has done really well, he was brought in following a serious injury to Yevhen Makarenko (who looked like being Dynamo and Ukraine’s left back for many years to come) and he slotted in seamlessly, scoring the goal of the season with his 35-metre thunderbolt against Everton in the Europa league. He never seems to miss a game and is a consistent performer at left back. He’s been a really good buy for Rebrov’s side.

 

Our thanks to John Bradley. For more from John follow him on Twitter at @JBcommentator.