Dinamo Kiev should have scored at least two times in the first tie, firing 27 shots total. I don’t think the Romanian side will be lucky two times in a row, an away win being the best bet.
Key Stats
- Universitatea Cluj have lost 2 of their last 4 matches.
- Dinamo Kiev have won 7 of their last 10 matches.
First-Ever Meetings This Season
This is going to be the second head to head match between Dinamo Kiev and Universitatea Cluj.
Tough Season Start for the Romanian Side
Universitatea Cluj were lucky to avoid defeat in last week’s Europa League qualifying tie against Dinamo Kiev, allowing 27 shots to the opposition while firing just three of their own.
They also battled against Universitatea Craiova in the Romanian Super Cup last weekend, regular time ending in a 1-1 draw, then losing 5-3 on penalties.
The Cluj side also struggled during the pre-season campaign, registering defeats against Vojvodina 3-0 and Nyiregyhaza 3-0, while the clash against Ujpest ended without goals.
Dinamo Were Unlucky Last Week
Dinamo Kiev dominated pitch in the first tie but wasted three clean goal opportunities to beat Universitatea Cluj. Matvii Ponomarenko’s and Bohdan Radushko’s attempts were stopped by opposition goalkeeper Neophytos Michail.
The White and Blues dropped out from the Ukrainian Premier League title race very early last season and finished as 4th placed team, 15 points behind the champions Shakhtar Donetsk but did great offensively (scored 66 goals in 30 matches).
Their biggest achievement in the previous campaign was winning the Ukrainian Cup, beating FC Chernihiv 3-1 in the grand finals where Vitali Buyalsky starred netting a brace.
They had solid results in recent preparation matches, beating Wieczysta Krakow 4-2 and LASK Linz 2-0, while recording just one defeat to Rapid Bucharest 3-1.
Team News
The hosts can’t count on right back Alin Chintes who is out with a muscle injury, while striker Quadri Taiwo is doubtful.
Dinamo’s defender Vladyslav Zakharchenko will miss this match (ligament injury), while Reshat Ramadani and Mykola Mykhaylenko are doubtful.