"Dnipro-1" became the first Ukrainian club to start its European campaign in the season-2023/2024. By securing second place in the UPL, the black-and-yellow team earned the opportunity to debut in the Champions League.

The opponent for Dnipro-1 in the second qualifying round is Greece's vice-champion — "Panathinaikos". The nominal home match was played in Košice, Slovakia, where the team had previously played European matches last season. The main squad issue for Alexander Kucher's team was the absence of Pichalongo.

The course of the game was significantly influenced by a quick goal from the Greeks — in the 10th minute, Juan Carlos broke into the penalty area and accurately passed to Sporar. Dnipro-1 responded with inaccurate attempts from Dobychyk and Hutsulak. Overall, there was a lack of creativity in the black-and-yellow team's actions, and both teams only managed one shot on target in the first half.

"Dnipro-1" started the second half well, with Saрапій and Hutsulak coming close but missing. The Greeks responded with a failed attempt from Velini from a good position. Later, Myronichenko tested the goalkeeper from a free kick.

On the 72nd minute, Dnipro-1 created a goal-scoring opportunity when during an attack Dobychyk passed back to Rubchynskyi, but his shot was blocked. Shortly after, Rubchynskyi tried again and this time Brinjolli was on hand. In response, "Panathinaikos" scored their second goal — in a counterattack Juan Carlos passed to Djuricic, who from outside the penalty area hit the corner accurately.

Later, an undeterred Juan Carlos won a penalty for Myronichenko, which was converted by Ionnidis. Dnipro-1 managed to score one goal in the final minutes when Tanchyk scored after a set piece. Thus, the black-and-yellow team failed in their Champions League debut — 1:3.

Players who participated in the match included those from Dnipro-1 who were called up for national team matches in June — Svatos (substituted on the 62nd minute) and Dobychyk.

Champions League-2023/2024. Second qualifying round. First leg

"Dnipro-1" (Ukraine) — "Panathinaikos" (Greece) — 1:3 (0:1)

Goals: Tanchyk (90) — Sporar (10), Djuricic (74), Ionnidis (84, from penalty).

"Dnipro-1": Kinarekin, Myronichenko, Svatos (c) (Kogut, 62), Sarapio, Kravec (Kapljenko, 73), Babenko (Tanchyk, 83), Blanco (Horin, 83), Hutsulak, Rubchynskyi, Tretjakov (Adamjuk, 62), Dobychyk.

Reserves: Volynec', Valef, Puriata, Hadziev, Horbunov, Kivinda, Pasich.

Coach: Alexander Kucher.

"Panathinaikos": Brinjolli, Kokiras, Schenkeweld (c) (Yedva, 24), Magnusson, Juan Carlos, Peres, Djuricic (Mancini, 78), Velina (Chokay, 70), Palacios, Sporar (Ionnidis, 78), Bernard (Verbic, 70).

Reserves: Xenopoulos, Vayanidis, Zecka, Klangaisler, Sideras, Mladenovic.

Coach: Ivan Jovanovic.

Referee: Daniele Cieffi (Italy).

Yellow card: Hutsulak (69).

July 25. Košice. Košice Football Arena stadium.

The return match will take place in Athens at the Apostolos Nikolaidis Stadium on Tuesday, August 1 (kick-off — 8:30 PM Kyiv time).