UEFA Champions League Match Preview: Barcelona vs Dynamo Kiev2
Here. We. Go.
This is where it really kicks off, forget the events that took place that night at the San Siro. The campaign starts now. The Camp Nou is awakening from a long Champions League rest with it’s last European fixture taking place more than half a year ago, the stadium and its fans are gearing up for what could be a most interesting encounter.
Barcelona vs Dynamo Kiev is the game being put under the spotlight, and why not? This promises to be a magnificent occasion.
The current Champions League holders have well and truly begun their season-long journey as they attempt to emulate their striking success from last season. The Blaugrana have kicked off their campaign in the same stunning fashion that the tri-champions finished it. Freely scoring goals and winning matches seemingly without breaking a sweat. Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has scored 5 goals in as many matches and will be keen to break his Champions League scoring drought and prove that he’s more than just a ‘domestic winning’ player.
However the same can be said of Dynamo Kiev’s recent form; unbeaten in the Ukrainian League winning their last 5 matches in a row with an average of 2.2 goals in each.
Their last game against FC Zorya Luhansk -who themselves possess a sleeping giant status having won the Ukrainian League three years ago- echoed brilliance from all area’s of the pitch, as Dynamo controlled the game from start to finish in Barca-like fashion. Although we know very well that there is only one team that can truly maintain the majestic football that is the brand of Catalunya, and deep down Dynamo will know what traditional Ukranian football can do to Barca, and will barricade the gates and try to hold Barcelona out for 90 minutes.
Team News
It has been officially confirmed that Frenchman Thierry Henry will not be taking part in tomorrows proceedings which should make way for Iniesta to join the attack on the left wing in what will be his first match at the Camp Nou this season. Rafael Marquez has pleaded his case to be in the starting XI for the game and should line up for his first start.
Star striker Andrey Shevchenko has recovered from a knock he took to the face, however a host of stars including Taras Mikhalik, Oleksandr Rybka, Badr El Kaddouri and Andriy Nesmachniy add to a catalogue of players missing for Dynamo.
Predicted Starting XI, Barcelona: Valdes – Alves – Puyol – Marquez – Abidal – Xavi – Toure – Keita – Messi – Ibrahimovic – Iniesta
Predicted Starting XI, Dynamo Kiev: Shovkovskiy – Gusev – Ghioane – Almeida – Betao –Yussuf – Vukojevic – Milevskiy – Aliyev – Ninkovic – Shevchenko (Aint those names a mouthful)
Key Players
Andres Iniesta
Unmistakably the most underrated player on the planet, the man set to return to the fray that is the Starting XI of Barcelona will be looking to show off his impeccable dribbling abilities in front of the fans of which he is now the favourite player of many.
Andrey Shevchenko
The former AC and Chelsea man who was once renowned as one of the most prolific strikers on the planet will be hoping to return to the Camp Nou with a bang, having scored a hat-trick in his last visit in 1997.
Prediction
The rock-hard stop-start Ukrainian style of football is one that Barcelona are beginning to become accustom to, however with Messi and Xavi on their A game lofting through the balls, as well as Iniesta providing support on the left, we may have to wait, but once fatigue becomes a factor, get set to see Barcelona’s 100th home goal under Guardiola.
Barcelona 2-0 Dynamo Kiev.
Leo10
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Hope your prediction comes out true Leo10. This is a tough test for the side, what with injuries and stuff. Kiev play rough and hard. And we all know what Sheva can do.
Your prediction was right!