The 0-0 draw in the opening match of the UEFA Europa League qualification against Romanian Universitatea (Cluj) has postponed the decision on the winner of the tie to the second leg. Now, the result in Romania will directly determine the further tournament prospects of the Kyiv club on the international arena.
The main thing to understand now: there will be no final elimination from European competitions after one game. However, the reputational blow in case of a defeat will be very significant.
Defeat scenario: the path through the Conference League
If the Kyiv team loses to the Romanian vice-champion, they will be "demoted" — moving to the second qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League (the third-ranked tournament in Europe). There, the "white-and-blues" will already be waiting for the Norwegian Brann. The matches will take place on July 23 and 30.
A defeat against the Norwegians will finally cross the Kyiv team off the list of participants in continental tournaments. The same verdict awaits Igor Kostyuk's team in case of failure in any of the following qualifying rounds. To reach the main tournament of the Conference League, they will have to pass three opponents.
Victory scenario: continuing the fight in the Europa League
In the event of a victory in Romania (with any score in regular time, extra time, or on penalties), the Kyiv team continues the fight in the Europa League. They will advance to the second qualifying round of the tournament, where they will meet the Greek PAOK (matches also on July 23 and 30).
This is a much more serious opponent, but the status of the tournament remains higher. To reach the main round of the Europa League, they will also have to pass three more opponents. However, here there will be a right to a second chance — in case of defeat at any level of qualification, the Kyiv team will not be eliminated from European tournaments finally, but will drop down to the Conference League.
Historical context: the earliest start
The current season has already entered the history of the Kyiv club with a minus sign. The match on July 9 became the earliest official start of Dynamo in European cups. Previously, in mid-July, the Kyiv team usually held only friendly matches during training camps. Now, however, they have to play official knockout games and fight their way to the main tournaments from the very bottom of the qualification.
Note that the blame for this lies not only with Dynamo, but with all representatives of the Ukrainian Premier League in Europe in recent seasons. Unsuccessful performances have led to a low position of Ukraine in the UEFA Coefficient Table.
Risks for the club's history
If Dynamo manages to lose to Universitatea, the current season risks entering the top 3 of the club's most unsuccessful performances in Europe.
Recalling the results of the "white-and-blues" in the 21st century, the worst can be considered the 2005/06 season. Then, under the leadership of Leonid Buryak, Dynamo ceased participation after the very first opponent — they were eliminated in the 2nd qualifying round of the Champions League by the semi-professional Swiss Tuna (2:2, 0:1).
Also remembered is the 2023/24 campaign, when the Kyiv team under the leadership of Mircea Lucescu managed not to reach the group stage of any tournament. In the Conference League qualifying play-off, they lost to the Turkish Beşiktaş (2:3, 0:1) and for the first time in 18 years remained without a European autumn.
