Kyiv's Dynamo has lost its chances to continue the fight in the Europa League. In the second leg of the play-off match at the stadium in Thessaloniki, the Ukrainian giant lost to Greek PAOK with a score of 0:2. This defeat proved fatal for the Kyiv team in the current European season, sending them to the Conference League.
Konstantelias' double decided the outcome of the match
The match took place in a tense atmosphere, and the Kyiv team, having a one-goal advantage after the first meeting, had to act as effectively as possible. However, on foreign soil, the Ukrainians failed to score a single goal. The match was decided by the Greek Konstantelias, who scored a double in critical moments of the game.
The first goal was scored in stoppage time of the first half (45+1). Dynamo's defenders — Brazhko and Voloshin — mistakenly decided that the referee would stop the game and disengaged from the episode. Konstantelias took advantage of the moment and shot almost unopposed into Surkis's goal.
The second goal was scored almost immediately after the break, in the 48th minute. Konstantelias skillfully outplayed defenders Kendzera and Tiare, moved along the penalty area line, and with a precise shot sent the ball under the crossbar. The score of 2:0 finally knocked Dynamo out of the Europa League.
Statistics and missed chances
The first half of the match passed in an even struggle, where neither team created truly dangerous moments. According to UEFA statistics, PAOK took 5 shots (4 on target), while Dynamo took only 3 shots (1 on target).
In the second half, the Kyiv team tried to get back into the game. The team had chances to equalize: the ball after a corner kick from Buyalskyi and Brazhko's shot hit the opponent's goalpost twice. However, the final whistle recorded a "clean" victory for the Greeks.
Squad and tactical changes
Dynamo's head coach Igor Kostyuk made significant changes to the starting lineup before the match. The starters were: Surkis — Mykhavko, Tiare, Kendzera, Sytsch — Brazhko, Lonwijk, Buyalskyi — Redushko, Ponomarenko, Voloshin.
Players such as Yarmolenko, Olkhovoy, Neshcheret, and others remained on the bench. Despite rotation and attempts to get back into the game, the team could not withstand the opponent's attacks.
The future of the Kyiv team in European competitions
Despite being knocked out of the Europa League, Dynamo still has chances for a European autumn. The capital giant will try to reach the main stage of the Conference League. To do this, the team must defeat the losing pair of "Karabakh" (Azerbaijan) and CSKA (Sofia, Bulgaria).
Earlier, head coach Igor Kostyuk stated that he and the team were ready for a hostile atmosphere away from home, but this time the factor of the field and the opponent's accuracy was enough for PAOK's victory.
