The third team of the UPL pre-season tournament, SK "Dnipro-1", played their first official match since December 2021. Moreover, this match was Dniprovets' debut in European competitions. 

In the play-off round of the Europa League qualifiers, SK "Dnipro-1" drew Cypriot AEK from Larnaca as their opponents. Due to Russia's military invasion, the home match had to be played in Košice, Slovakia.

Photo scdnipro1.com.ua

In the first half, Ukrainians had many positional errors; the team clearly lacked understanding. This was not surprising since most of the starting players were making their debut for "Dnipro-1".

AEK managed to open the scoring in the 16th minute — Altman capitalized on a pass from Englezou into the penalty area. Dniprovets responded with an effort by Buzanello low down at goal. However, Cypriots continued their attacks more aggressively and increased their lead in the 29th minute. After a corner kick, goalkeeper of "Dnipro-1" Valef made a mistake on his clearance, and Milicevic put the ball into an empty net. Later, Brazilian Valef partially redeemed himself with saves from Durčo's and Faраж's shots.

Photo scdnipro1.com.ua

At the start of the second half, Dniprovets pressed for a goal. First, Gromov missed from distance, and later Buzanello tested the goalkeeper with an effort from close range. In the 54th minute, after a pass from Buzanello, Dobychok shot at a defender, and Gromov hit the crossbar on the rebound. Later in our team's lineup, Blanco scored low down from distance, and Nazarenko missed high from a header.

In the 79th minute, AEK responded with a Durčo shot from outside the penalty area that hit the post. Shortly after, Valef saved well from attempts by Hami and Durčo. In the 90th minute, Ukrainians scored one goal — Pikhalyonok's corner was headed in by Svatoк. In the added time, the referee's team remained short-handed — Sarapій received a second yellow card. Ultimately, Dniprovets conceded — 1:2.

Photo scdnipro1.com.ua

It should be noted that in the lineup of "Dnipro-1", players who were included in the national team's June matches participated in this match — Pikhalyonok (assisted) and Dobychok.

Europa League 2022/2023. Play-off round. First leg

"Dnipro-1" (Ukraine) — AEK (Cyprus) — 1:2 (0:2)

Goals: Svatoк (90) — Altman (16), Milicevic (29).

"Dnipro-1": Valef, Tankich, Adamyuk, Svatoк (c), Buzanello, Kogut (Gromov, 46), Sarapій, Puriţa (Nazarenko, 61), Pikhalyonok, Blanco, Dobychok.

Substitutes: Rybak, Yurchuk, Kononenko, Logіnov, Babenko, Rubchynskyi.

Coach: Valeriy Gorodov.

AEK: Tumbas, Rosales, Milicevic, Gonzales (c), Englezou (Casas, 59), Ojea, Gustavo (Mamas, 86), Altman, Faраж (Lopez, 59), Durčo (Trichkovs'kyi, 86).

Substitutes: Piriç, Stilianidis, Olatunji, Kipros, Naum, Andreu.

Coach: José Luis Oltra.

Referee: Tobias Stielер (Germany).

Yellow cards: Sarapій (63) — Gustavo (62), Casas (90+3).

Sent off: Sarapій (90+5, 'D').

August 18. Košice. Košice Football Arena stadium.

The return match will take place in Larnaca on Thursday, August 25.