Dynamo Kyiv suffers setback in Champions League qualifying play-off first leg against RB Salzburg

21.08.2024 23:59

Dynamo Kyiv continued their journey in this year's Champions League with a nominal home match in the play-off round of qualifying against Austria's RB Salzburg.

In the previous stages, Oleksandr Shovkovskyi's men eliminated Serbia's Partizan and defeated Scotland's Rangers. Now, they faced the challenge of the Austrian vice-champions, RB Salzburg, in a nominal home game held in Lublin, Poland.

At the start of the match, Dynamo launched several promising attacks, with Yarmolenko twice failing to control the ball in the final phase. The Austrians responded with a long-range shot on target by Gourna-Douath. Dynamo then had another chance when Yarmolenko couldn't beat the keeper after a defender's error, followed by Baidoo blocking Vanat's shot.

In the 29th minute, Salzburg took the lead when Yeo sliced through Dynamo's defense, and Nene beat Bushchan. The Austrians continued to press, with Bushchan making a save from Kjærgaard. Karavaiev had a good chance for Dynamo, but his shot from a Yarmolenko pass went wide of the post.

Early in the second half, Yeo tested Bushchan again, and moments later, Karavaiev fouled the visiting forward in the penalty area. Kjærgaard doubled Salzburg's lead from the spot. Dynamo nearly responded immediately, but Yarmolenko's shot went over the bar. Later, Piatkowski blocked Vanat's close-range shot, and Blaswich saved Shaparenko's long-range effort.

In the 57th minute, Bushchan saved Dynamo when Gloukh's close-range attempt was denied. Shaparenko then missed a chance after receiving a cross from Voloshyn. Shortly after, Bragaru couldn't connect with a far-post cross from Shaparenko.

In the 83rd minute, Popov hit the post following Pikhalyonok's corner. Salzburg then nearly scored again, with Capaldo's shot going just wide, and another Capaldo attempt was blocked by Popov at the last moment. In stoppage time, Shaparenko had a final chance but shot straight at Blaswich, resulting in a 2:0 defeat for Dynamo.

Several Ukraine national team players, who were part of Serhiy Rebrov's squad for EURO 2024, featured for Dynamo in this match: Bushchan, Yarmolenko (substituted in the 65th minute), Shaparenko (yellow card), Brazhko (substituted in the 65th minute), Vanat (substituted in the 71st minute), and Tymchyk (came on in the 71st minute).

Champions League 2024/2025. Qualifying Play-Off Round. First Leg

Dynamo Kyiv (Ukraine) — RB Salzburg (Austria) — 0:2 (0:1)

Goals: Nene (29), Kjærgaard (50, penalty).

Dynamo Kyiv: Bushchan, Karavaiev (Tymchyk, 71), Popov, Mykhavko, Dubinchak, Pikhalyonok, Brazhko (Mykhailenko, 65), Shaparenko, Yarmolenko (c) (Voloshyn, 65), Vanat (Bragaru, 71), Kabayev (Supryaha, 88).

Substitutes: Neshcheret, Vivcharenko, Rubchynskyi, Lonwijk, Andriyevskyi, Ceballos, Bilovar.

Coach: Oleksandr Shovkovskyi.

RB Salzburg: Blaswich (c), Dedić, Piatkowski, Baidoo, Terzić (van der Brempt, 26), Bidstrup, Gourna-Douath (Capaldo, 69), Kjærgaard (Ratkov, 86), Nene (Dāgīms, 69), Yeo (Lukić, 69), Gloukh.

Substitutes: Schlager, Hamzić, Okoh, Diambou, Mellberg, Diakite.

Coach: Pepijn Lijnders.

Referee: Sandro Schärer (Switzerland).

Booked: Shaparenko (45+3), Dubinchak (81) — Dedić (45+3), van der Brempt (77).

August 21. Lublin. Arena Lublin.

The second leg will occur on August 27 in Salzburg at Red Bull Arena (kickoff at 22:00 Kyiv time).