Dynamo Kyiv Vs Lazio

Dynamo Kiev and Lazio will open their Europa League group-stage journey on Wednesday evening at Hamburg's Volksparkstadion. The match marks the start of the league-phase under the UEFA Europa League’s revamped format, mirroring the structure of the Champions League. This season, the two sides will have a total of eight group-stage matches to play, with Wednesday's contest serving as the first of many to come before the year-end break.

This face-off brings together two teams with rich European histories, both eager to make an impact in UEFA’s second-tier club competition. Dynamo Kiev, once a dominant force in Eastern Europe, find themselves competing in the Europa League after falling short in the Champions League playoffs. Lazio, a Serie A stalwart, are hoping to make a deep run under the leadership of their new manager, Marco Baroni.

Dynamo Kiev's presence in this season’s Europa League was far from their initial goal. The Ukrainian giants aspired to compete in the Champions League, but after a challenging qualification process, they now have to settle for a place in the Europa League. Their hopes for a spot in the Champions League group stage were dashed by Red Bull Salzburg, who defeated Dynamo 3-1 on aggregate in the final round of qualification.

In the first leg against Salzburg, Dynamo were unable to cope with the Austrian side’s aggressive approach, losing 2-0. Although they managed to secure a 1-1 draw in the return leg in Austria, the damage had already been done. Falling short of the Champions League was a bitter pill for Dynamo to swallow, but the consolation of a Europa League berth offers the club a chance to regroup and refocus their European ambitions.

Before their defeat to Salzburg, Dynamo had already overcome several formidable opponents in the earlier rounds of Champions League qualification. They dispatched Serbian club Partizan Belgrade and Scottish side Rangers in the process, showcasing their resilience. However, their inability to secure an automatic Champions League spot after finishing second in the Ukrainian Premier League last season left them with the arduous task of navigating through the qualification rounds.

Under the management of Oleksandr Shovkovskyi, a club legend who took the reins last year, Dynamo have shown flashes of their former glory. In the 2023-24 Ukrainian Premier League, they narrowly missed out on the title, finishing just two points behind Shakhtar Donetsk. That near miss was a motivating factor for Dynamo, and they've carried that determination into the new season, starting their domestic campaign strongly with five wins from their opening six matches. They currently sit atop the league, undefeated and determined to reclaim the title from their rivals.

However, Dynamo's recent form in European competition has been less than stellar. In their last 11 Europa League group-stage matches before this season, the Ukrainian side failed to win a single game, drawing five and losing six. Their last Europa League victory came nearly five years ago, highlighting their struggles on the continental stage. Additionally, Dynamo have never beaten Lazio in four competitive meetings, a statistic they’ll be eager to change when the teams meet on Wednesday.

Lazio, a club with a storied European past, have also experienced their share of ups and downs in recent years. They will enter Wednesday’s contest with some positive memories of playing against Dynamo Kiev, having won both of their previous away matches against the Ukrainian side. The first victory came 25 years ago during the Champions League group stage, and the second in 2018, when Lazio secured a 2-0 win in the Europa League’s last-16. On that occasion, goals from Lucas Leiva and Stefan de Vrij sealed Lazio’s passage to the quarterfinals.

This time around, Lazio will face Dynamo in neutral territory, as the Ukrainian club is hosting their European fixtures in Hamburg due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. While this removes the advantage of a home crowd for Dynamo, it also adds an element of uncertainty for Lazio, who will be playing in unfamiliar surroundings.

Domestically, Lazio have had a mixed start to their Serie A campaign. After five matches, they sit eighth in the standings, having recorded two wins, one draw, and two losses. New manager Marco Baroni, who took over in the summer following Maurizio Sarri’s departure, has faced challenges in finding consistency early in the season. Baroni’s tenure began with a 2-1 home victory against Hellas Verona, but recent results have been less encouraging.

Last weekend, Lazio traveled to Florence to face Fiorentina in what proved to be a frustrating match for Baroni’s side. Despite taking the lead through Mario Gila’s first-half goal, Lazio conceded two penalties to Albert Gudmundsson, the second of which came deep into stoppage time, condemning them to a 2-1 defeat. The result was a harsh blow for the Biancocelesti, who have struggled to find their rhythm in the early weeks of the season.

Nevertheless, Lazio have shown an ability to score goals consistently, having found the net in each of their last 13 matches across all competitions. Their last goalless outing came in April against arch-rivals AS Roma, but since then, Baroni’s men have managed to keep their scoring streak alive, even when results haven’t gone their way.

Dynamo Kiev will rely heavily on the experience of their veteran players, including former West Ham United forward Andriy Yarmolenko, who has returned to the club after a stint abroad. Yarmolenko, a Dynamo icon, will lead the attack alongside 21-year-old forward Vladyslav Vanat, who has shown great promise in the early stages of his career. Vanat’s energy and work rate will be key to Dynamo’s chances of breaking down Lazio’s defense.

Additionally, Panama international Eduardo Guerrero could play a crucial role off the bench, providing fresh legs and pace in the latter stages of the match. Guerrero, who has been used as a substitute in recent games, offers a different dimension to Dynamo’s attack and could be a game-changer if the match is tightly contested.

In midfield, Dynamo have a blend of youth and experience. Mykola Shaparenko, one of the most talented midfielders in Ukrainian football, will be central to Dynamo’s efforts in controlling the game. Shaparenko will likely be joined by Volodymyr Brazhko and Oleksandr Pikhalyonok, two players known for their tactical awareness and ability to transition quickly from defense to attack. Together, this trio forms the backbone of Dynamo’s midfield, capable of both breaking up opposition play and launching counter-attacks.

Lazio, on the other hand, are facing several issues in their attacking lineup. Marco Baroni has had to deal with a series of injuries to key players, particularly in the forward positions. Over the summer, the club saw the departure of long-serving captain and top scorer Ciro Immobile, who left Lazio after a decade of service. Immobile’s exit has left a significant void in Lazio’s attack, one that has yet to be fully filled.

To make matters worse, both of Lazio’s first-choice strikers are currently battling injuries. Taty Castellanos, the Argentine forward who was signed in the summer, limped off during last Monday’s win over Hellas Verona with a muscular injury. Meanwhile, Senegalese striker Boulaye Dia, who had scored in each of his first two starts for the club, picked up an ankle injury during the loss to Fiorentina.

With both Castellanos and Dia facing late fitness tests ahead of the match, Baroni may have to reshuffle his front line. One option is to deploy Mattia Zaccagni, Lazio’s new captain, in a more advanced role. Zaccagni has been one of Lazio’s most consistent performers this season and is capable of playing across the front three. Alongside him, Baroni could select any combination of Gustav Isaksen, Tijjani Noslin, Pedro, or Loum Tchaouna to form an attacking trio.

Isaksen, in particular, will be a player to watch. The Danish forward has been directly involved in seven goals in 14 Europa League appearances, including two goals against Lazio in 2022 when he was still playing for FC Midtjylland. His performances in that tie were so impressive that Lazio signed him during the summer transfer window, and he’ll be eager to make an impact against his former club.

As Dynamo Kiev and Lazio prepare to lock horns in the Europa League, both teams find themselves at pivotal moments in their respective seasons. Dynamo are determined to put their Champions League disappointment behind them and make a deep run in Europe’s second-tier competition. Meanwhile, Lazio are navigating a period of transition under a new manager, with hopes of recapturing their best form and making a statement in Europe.

This encounter promises to be a fascinating battle, with both sides possessing the quality to make a mark on the competition. While Dynamo will look to use their experience and home advantage (albeit in Hamburg) to kick off their campaign with a win, Lazio will aim to overcome their injury issues and maintain their strong European pedigree. Regardless of the result, this match sets the stage for an exciting Europa League campaign for both clubs.