First Qualifying Round Europa League Fixtures Confirmed
The schedule for the first qualifying round of the Europa League has been officially set, pitting Kyiv's Dynamo against Romania's Universitatea Cluj. The first leg will take place on July 9 at Arena Lublin in Poland, kicking off at 20:00 Kyiv time (19:00 local). The return match is scheduled for July 16 at Cluj Arena in Cluj-Napoca, starting at 20:30 Kyiv time.
Team Preparation Underway
Dynamo Kyiv finished last season in fourth place in the Ukrainian Premier League, but secured their spot in Europa League qualifying by winning the Ukrainian Cup. Head coach Ihor Kostyuk has shared his thoughts on the team's readiness for the upcoming matches.
“The squad has regrouped in excellent spirits after the break. All players have passed medical checks, except those who reported directly to Austria. Those involved with national teams will join us in the coming days.” - Ihor Kostyuk
The coach emphasized that there are no easy opponents in Europa League qualifying. “We understand there are no easy opponents in Europa League qualification—every team finishes high in their domestic league. This is a solid, well-organized side with quality players,” he added. Kostyuk stressed the importance of preparation: “At the same time, we are focusing primarily on ourselves. Ahead of us are a training camp, preparation, and friendly matches. Our goal is to approach the official games in peak condition.”
The head coach also noted that the team does not plan to change its preparation principles:
- “We won't fundamentally change our preparation approach, as we always push the team to meet the highest demands and a high level of competition.”
- “Of course, we will study the opponent in detail, analyzing their strengths, weaknesses, and playing style.”
Preparation for the matches against Universitatea Cluj is ongoing, and Dynamo is determined to put up a strong fight in the Europa League qualifiers.
These fixtures are crucial for Dynamo, as a successful qualifying campaign could pave the way for further progress in European tournaments. The club aims to make a return to the international stage after a somewhat disappointing season, and the team's readiness, as highlighted by the coach, could be a key factor in achieving a positive outcome. The clash with the Romanian side promises to be intense, as both teams harbor ambitions for advancement in European football.
As Dynamo Kyiv prepares for their Europa League qualifying matches, understanding their opponent is crucial. For more insights into the challenges they will face in the first round, including details about Universitatea Cluj and the implications of this matchup, check out our article on Dynamo's qualifying opponent.