"Dnipro-1" concluded its journey in the Champions League-2023/2024, playing a return match against Greek "Panathinaikos" within the second qualifying round.

A week ago in Košice, Slovakia, Ukrainians lost to Greeks — 1:3, so today at a packed Apostolos Nikolaidis Stadium in Athens they had a difficult task. Which was complicated by the fact that on the eve of the game, Alexander Kucher's team suffered serious personnel problems. However, there was also some positive news — Pikhalyonok returned after an injury.

The start of the return match belonged to the hosts, who went ahead in the 15th minute. After a cross from Edvay, Volynets and Adamyuk failed to clear the ball, and Šporar put it past the goalkeeper. Despite this, Dniprians quickly equalized thanks to Dobych's skill, who dribbled several opponents and scored from an acute angle.

The visitors continued to seek luck near the opponent's goal. Thus, Rubchynsky shot on target, while Dobych even sent the ball into the net, but in the previous phase of the attack Blanco played with his hand, so the goal was not awarded. Shortly before this, goalkeeper Volynets of "Dnipro-1" got injured, and he did not let Palacios take him out. He was replaced by Kinarekin, who quickly saved a shot from Šporar from an acute angle. In added time to the first half, both teams exchanged dangerous shots from Edvay and Pasich after set pieces.

Photo scdnipro1.com.ua

After the break, Brinjoly saved the hosts from shots by Blanco and Sarapi. Greeks responded with several sharp counterattacks but without a finish. And on the 54th minute "Dnipro-1" came close to scoring — after Mishonichenko's corner kick, Sarapi headed the ball into the net.

However, at the 70th minute Šporar completed his brace, taking advantage of a pass from Džuričić, who had just entered the penalty area and beat Svach. Moreover, shortly after that Ukrainians were reduced to ten men — Tankhych received a red card. Under such conditions Greeks maintained their comfortable lead — 2:2.

"Panathinaikos" will play in the third qualifying round of the Champions League against "Marseille" with Ruslan Malinovskiy. In turn, "Dnipro-1" will appear at the same stage but in the Europa League, where its opponent will be Czech "Slavia". Ukrainians will play their first match in Prague on August 10 and the second one in Košice on August 17.

The match featured Dniprians who were in the national team's squad for June matches — Pikhalyonok (yellow card, substituted at the 68th minute), Dobych (goal), Svach (substituted on at the 57th minute).

Champions League-2023/2024. Second qualifying round. Return match

"Panathinaikos" (Greece) — "Dnipro-1" (Ukraine) — 2:2 (1:1)

Goals: Šporar (15, 70) — Dobych (24), Sarapi (54).

"Panathinaikos": Brinjoly, Kotsiras, Edvay, Magnusson, Juan Carlos, Peres (c), Džuričić (Klengaisler, 79), Vilen (Chokaj, 66), Palacios (Manchini, 46), Šporar (Ioannidis, 79), Bernard (Verbic, 90).

Substitutes: Xenopulos, Vayannidis, Zeqa, Sideras, Mladenovic.

Coach: Ivan Jovanović.

"Dnipro-1": Volynets (Kinarekin, 36), Pasich, Adamyuk, Sarapi (Svach, 57), Kaplienko (Tankhych, 69), Babenko, Blanco, Mishonichenko, Pikhalyonok (c) (Kogut, 68), Rubchynsky (Gutsulyak, 69), Dobych.

Substitutes: Valef, Purita, Gorin, Gadziev, Gorbunov, Kivinda.

Coach: Alexander Kucher.

Referee: Bastian Dankert (Germany).

Warned: Palacios (45+2), Chokaj (90+5) — Blanco (20), Kucher (40, not on the field), Rubchynsky (43), Pikhalyonok (55), Kogut (87).

Dismissed: Tankhych (75, "D").

August 1. Apostolos Nikolaidis Stadium in Athens.

First match — 3:1.