«Dnipro-1» continued its path in European competitions, playing against the local «Spartak» in Trnava, Slovakia, in the playoff round of the Conference League qualification.

A week ago, Dnipropetrovskians said goodbye to the Europa League, conceding to Czech «Slavia». Therefore, the vice-champions of Ukraine are now playing in the Conference League playoff round, where their opponent is Slovakian «Spartak». In Trnava, «Dnipro-1» arrived without its main coach — a few days ago, Oleksandr Kucher left his position.

From the first minutes, Ukrainians found themselves in a minority — Sarapiy was sent off for the last hope foul. Consequently, the hosts gained control of the ball and approached the Kinarekin goal more often. In «Dnipro-1», one can note only a header from Hutsulak that went wide. «Spartak» also had several shots on target, including Kinarekin saved dangerous attempts by Prohazka and Dzuricin.

The Slovaks started the second half with attacks, and at the 55th minute, Ofori opened the scoring, cutting in from the right flank and beating Kinarekin with a deflected shot off the crossbar. However, despite being down a man, Dnipropetrovskians managed to equalize — Hutsulak won a penalty after tangling with the ball, which Pikhalyonok converted.

On the 78th minute, Daniel powerfully shot from outside the box, and «Dnipro-1» was saved by the crossbar. The Ukrainians played out the rest of the match with ten men as Kogut received two yellow cards after coming on as a substitute. Nevertheless, the black-and-yellow team managed to hold for a draw away — 1:1.

Conference League-2023/2024. Playoff round. First leg

«Spartak» (Slovakia) — «Dnipro-1» (Ukraine) — 1:1 (0:0)

Goals: Ofori (55) — Pikhalyonok (67, from the penalty).

«Spartak»: Takac, Kosterna, Stetina, Kosha, Mikovic (Azango, 82), Bukata (Osini, 46), Zelkovich (Baynovich, 82), Prohazka (c) (Stefanik, 46), Ofori, Dzuricin (Ristovskiy, 46), Daniel.

Substitutes: Rusov, Vantrub, Horosito, Breznik, Uylaki, Pena, Shulek.

Coach: Michal Gashparik.

«Dnipro-1»: Kinarekin, Myroshnychenko, Svatos (c), Sarapiy, Kravec, Babenko, Lednev (Filippov, 72), Rubchinsky (Kogut, 59), Pikhalyonok (Gorin, 88), Gorbunov (Kalilenko, 59), Hutsulak.

Substitutes: Valef, Purita, Kivinda, Tanchyk, Pasich, Pires, Bill.

Coach: Valeriy Gorodov.

Referee: Eugene Dja (Albania).

Yellow cards: Daniel (13), Bukata (45+6), Ofori (53), Osini (59) — Svatos (45+6), Rubchinsky (45+8), Kogut (74), Kinarekin (90+9).

Red cards: Sarapiy (5, «D»), Kogut (89, «D»).

23 August. Trnava. Anton Malatinsky Stadium.

The return match will take place in Slovakian Kosice on Thursday, 31 August (kick-off at 9 PM Kyiv time).