Juventus vs Dynamo Kyiv – Champions League – Preview

Juventus vs Dynamo Kyiv – Champions League – Preview

Mark Temnycky –

Juventus vs Dynamo Kyiv – Wednesday, 2 December 2020 – 20:00 GMT/21:00 CEST – Juventus Stadium, Turin, Italy

Juventus will host Dynamo Kyiv on Matchday 5 in the 2020/21 UEFA Champions League’s Group G. Juve are one of a few clubs that have already booked their ticket to the competition’s knockout stages this season, but will still look to finish strong in the group stage. The Italians have defeated Hungarian club Ferencváros twice, and they earned a comfortable victory against Dynamo Kyiv on Matchday 1. Given these performances, Juventus currently sit in second place in Group G.

While the Italians have performed well in the Champions League, they have struggled in Serie A. Juventus currently sit in fifth place after eight matches. While they are undefeated, they have not been clinical in some of their recent matches. Despite dominating possession, shots on goal, and outplaying their opponents, they have had to settle for five draws so far this season. It appears they have lost some of their clinical touch.

Nonetheless, the Italians will look to get the job done on Matchday 5 in the Champions League. A victory against Dynamo could help Juventus build their confidence as they prepare for a hectic domestic December schedule. 

Meanwhile, Dynamo have had an uninspiring campaign. After a four-year hiatus from the Champions League, the Ukrainians have failed to have much of an impact in their group, where most recently they threw away a two-goal lead against Ferencváros. Dynamo were placed in a group with Barcelona and Juventus, so it seemed unlikely the Ukrainians would advance to the competition’s knockout stages. Nonetheless, Dynamo have not had many convincing displays during the group stages.

They have performed better domestically, where they sit at the top of the Ukrainian Premier Liha table. While more than half of the domestic season remains, Dynamo have started to challenge for the UPL title, something that they failed to do in recent seasons. They have been earning impressive results, and they seem on their way to a strong campaign in 2020/21.

Given Dynamo’s recent domestic performances, perhaps they can translate some of these successes to the Champions League’s group stages. While they will not advance to the Champions League’s knockout stages, they still have an opportunity to qualify for the UEFA Europa League. At this rate, that option is better than nothing.

How will Juventus and Dynamo Kyiv fare on Matchday 5 in Group G? 

Juventus vs Dynamo Kyiv – Players to Watch:

Arthur #5 – Juventus

Having secured a place in this season’s knockout stages, Juventus will still hope to close out the Champions League group stages with a positive performance. Arthur has helped dictate the run of play in the midfield, and this has given Juventus a competitive advantage in these matches. He will look to replicate his performances as his club host the Ukrainians on Matchday 5.

Juventus vs Dynamo Kyiv

Melo Arthur will be one to watch in Juventus vs Dynamo Kyiv. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

Benjamin Verbić #7 – Dynamo Kyiv

Dynamo Kyiv have struggled to find their starting striker, as they have rotated their lineup with Gerson Rodrigues, Vladyslav Supriaha, and Benjamin Verbić. The Slovak has won the starting position in recent weeks, and Verbić will likely get the nod for this match. The seasoned Dynamo veteran will hope to help his side earn a result in this fixture.

Juventus vs Dynamo Kyiv

Benjamin Verbic will be one to watch in Juventus vs Dynamo Kyiv. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

Juventus vs Dynamo Kyiv – Match Statistics:

  • This will the third match-up between Juventus and Dynamo Kyiv in the UEFA Champions League. 
  • The first encounter was during the 1997/98 quarter-finals. The second meeting was during the 2002/03 group stage.
  • Juventus are undefeated in these encounters, having won four times and drawn once.
  • Juventus are without the injured Gianluigi Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini, and Merih Demiral.
  • Dynamo Kyiv’s Artem Shabanov, Gerson Rodrigues, Mikkel Duelund, Mykyta Burda, Nazariy Rusyn, Oleksandr Syrota, Oleksandr Tymchuk, Ruslan Neshcheret, Serhiy Sydorchuk, and Volodymyr Kostevych are injured and will not feature in this match.

Futbolgrad Network Prediction: Juventus vs Dynamo Kyiv – 3-1

Juventus vs Dynamo Kyiv – Possible Lineups:

Juventus

Formation: 4-4-2

Szczęsny – Cuadrado, Danilo, de Ligt, Sandro – McKennie, Bentancur, Arthur, Bernardeschi – Ronaldo, Morata

Manager: Andrea Pirlo

Dynamo Kyiv

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Bushchan – Kędziora, Zabarnyi, Popov, Mykolenko – Shaparenko, Harmash – Tsygankov, Buyalskyi, de Pena – Verbić 

Manager: Mircea Lucescu

Mark Temnycky is an AIPS accredited journalist who covers the Ukrainian men’s national team and Ukrainian clubs competing in the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League for the Futbolgrad Network. Follow him @MTemnycky

COMMENTS

WORDPRESS: 0
DISQUS: 0