Dynamo Kiev and Partizan face off in the first leg of their second-round qualifying match in the Champions League.
The game will be held at the NSK Olimpijs'kyj on Tuesday, July 23, 2024. Both teams finished second in their respective leagues last season, securing their spots in this crucial qualifier.
Dynamo Kiev: Form and Key Players
Dynamo Kiev narrowly missed the Ukrainian Premier League title, finishing just two points behind Shakhtar Donetsk.
This season, they aim to re-enter the Champions League group stage, having last featured in the 2022-23 playoff round.
The team's recent form includes a narrow 3-2 loss to Union Berlin in a friendly, showing promising signs from key players like Vladyslav Vanat, who scored 14 goals last season.
Key Players to Watch
Vladyslav Vanat: Top scorer in the Ukrainian Premier League last season with 14 goals.
Andriy Yarmolenko: Veteran winger expected to provide experience and creativity.
Partizan: Form and Key Players
Partizan secured their Champions League qualifying spot by finishing second in the Mozzart Bet Superliga.
Their league campaign has already begun with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over FK Napredak Krusevac, thanks to a last-minute goal by Matheus Saldanha.
Partizan’s manager, Aleksandar Stanojevic, returned this summer and aims to lead the team back to the Champions League group stage for the first time since 2010-11.
Key Players to Watch
Matheus Saldanha: Scored the decisive goal in their league opener.
Kevin Arriaga: New signing who impressed in midfield.
Team News
Dynamo Kiev
The team is likely to start with their strongest lineup, featuring:
Bushchan in goal. A defense consisting of Diachuk, Popov, and Bilovar. Midfielders Tymchyk, Brazhko, Shaparenko, and Dubinchak and Forwards Yarmolenko, Vanat, and Kabaiev.
Partizan
Partizan is expected to field a similar lineup to their league opener:
Jovanovic in goal. Defenders Durdevic, Markovic, Mujakic, and Antic. Midfielders Scekic, Arriaga, Trifunovic, and Goh and Forwards Kalulu and Saldanha.
Prediction
Dynamo Kiev has a strong home advantage and a history of performing well in European competitions.
Although Partizan is a formidable opponent, Dynamo’s recent performances and squad depth suggest they will edge out a victory in this first leg.
Our Prediction: Dynamo Kiev 1-0 Partizan
Dynamo Kyiv 
FK Partizan 
