Benfica v Dynamo Kyiv: line-ups, where to watch, form guide
Monday, October 31, 2016
Article summary
"The biggest mistake would be to think that just because we won in Ukraine, we will win here," said Benfica boss Rui Vitória, bracing himself for a "hard match" at home to Dynamo Kyiv.
Article top media content
Article body
- Rui Vitória demands focus from Benfica: "Dynamo will make life difficult"
- The Ukrainian side are unbeaten away from home this season
- Benfica struck early in each half as they beat Dynamo 2-0 two weeks ago
- If Dynamo lose and Beşiktaş or Napoli win, Serhiy Rebrov's team are out
- Key man Yarmolenko ruled out through injury for the visitors
Possible line-ups
Benfica: Ederson; Semedo, Luisão, Lindelöf, Grimaldo; Fejsa, Pizzi, Salvio, Cervi; Guedes, Mitroglou.
Out: Rafa (thigh), Jonas (foot), Jardel (undisclosed)
Dynamo Kyiv: Rudko; Morozyuk, Khacheridi, Vida, Antunes; Rybalka; Tsygankov, Sydorchuk, Buyalskiy, González; Júnior Moraes.
Out: Garmash (knee), Yarmolenko (knee), Danilo Silva (knee), Fedorchuk (muscle problem), Gladkiy (omitted)
Doubtful: Khacheridi (knee)
Misses next match if booked: Garmash, Korzun
Where to watch
Fans can find their local UEFA Champions League broadcast partner(s) here
Rui Vitória, Benfica coach
I am expecting a hard match, as is always the case in the UEFA Champions League. You have to be completely focused in every game. The biggest mistake would be to think that just because we won in Ukraine, we will win here.
Dynamo will make life difficult for us. We must be committed and disciplined. Our aim is always to try and take the three points. We have three finals left in this group and we want to win all of them.
Serhiy Rebrov, Dynamo coach
We are expecting a good game and we want to make sure we leave the field having given absolutely everything. We are playing in the UEFA Champions League and must look to perform at our top level. Of course, missing injured forward Andriy Yarmolenko is a blow – he is one of our leaders – but other players can take his place.
I hope the young players coming in for us can respond well and help the team to get the right result. The more intensity we play with, the better our chances are of winning. We have three games left in this group and we want to collect as many points as possible.
Weekend results
Benfica 3-0 Paços Ferreira (Gonçalo Guedes 26, Salvio 64, Pizzi 87)
Gonçalo Guedes scored his first Liga goal since November 2015, and Eduardo Salvio for the fourth time in five matches, to help Benfica to a seventh consecutive league victory.
Dynamo Kyiv 4-1 Karpaty (Besedin 18, Vida 28, Morozyuk 80, Orikhovskiy 84; Zayivskiy 86)
Following two successive Premier-Liha draws, Dynamo cut loose with 20-year-olds Artem Besedin and Pavlo Orikhovskiy both notching their first goals for the club.
Form guide (all competitions, most recent first)
Benfica: WWWWWL
Dynamo Kyiv: WWDLDW
Reporter's view: Paul Bryan (@UEFAcomPaulB)
Back in contention for a place in the round of 16 following victory on matchday three, Benfica will look to capitalise on soaring confidence and growing team spirit to inflict another defeat on their Ukrainian guests. Rui Vitória's side go into the Group B encounter on the back of five straight wins and will be tough to stop at their highly-charged home.
Did you know?
What was the score when Dynamo Kyiv visited Sven-Göran Eriksson's Benfica in 1992? Find out in our match background.