League of Europe. "Dnipro-1" lost to Cyprus AEK in the debut match in the European Cups

18.08.2022 23:58

Photo by scdnipro1.com.ua

The third team of the UPL preliminary draw, SC Dnipro-1, played its first official match since December 2021. Moreover, this match was the debut for the Dnipro team in the European Cups. 

In the play-off round of the qualification of the European League "Dnipro-1" the opponents got Cypriot AEK from Larnaca. Due to the Russian military invasion, the sports club had to play the home match of this stage in Kosice, Slovakia.

Photo by scdnipro1.com.ua

In the first half, the Ukrainians had a lot of positional errors, the team clearly lacked mutual understanding. Which is not surprising, because most of the players in the starting lineup played their debut match for Dnipro-1.

AEK managed to open the scoring in the 16th minute — Altman used a pass to Engels in the middle of the penalty area. Dnipro responded with Busanello's low kick in the plane. However, the Cypriots continued to attack more accentuated and in the 29th minute increased the advantage. After serving a corner, the goalkeeper of "Dnipro-1" Valef made a mistake at the exit, and Milichevich sent the ball into an empty net. Later, the Brazilian was somewhat rehabilitated by saves after the strikes of Djurcho and Farage.

Photo by scdnipro1.com.ua

At the beginning of the second half, Dnipro claimed a goal. At first, Gromov shot inaccurately on the fly, in another attack, Busanello tested the keeper with a rebound kick. In the 54th minute, Dovbyk beat the defender from a pass by Busanello, and Gromov hit the crossbar on the finish. Later, in our team, Blanco distinguished himself with a shot from a distance into the plane, Nazarenko scored from a pick-up above the goal.

In the 79th minute, AEK responded with a shot by Gyurcho from outside the penalty area into the post. Soon, Valef came to the rescue after long-range attempts by Gama and Gyurcho. And in the 90th minute, the Ukrainians scored one goal - Svatok blocked Pikhalyonka's pass from a corner. In the time added by the referee, Oleksandr Kucher's wards remained in the minority - Sarapiy received the second warning. As a result, the Dnipro people conceded - 1:2.

Photo by scdnipro1.com.ua

Let's add that as part of Dnipro-1, the players who were in the application for the June matches of the national team of Ukraine, Pikhalyonok (goal assist) and Dovbyk took part in the match.

Europa League 2022/2023. Playoff round. The first match

"Dnipro-1" (Ukraine) — AEK (Cyprus) — 1:2 (0:2)

Goals: Svatok (90) — Altman (16), Milichevich (29).

"Dnipro-1": Valef, Tanchyk, Adamyuk, Svatok (k), Buzanello, Kohut (Gromov, 46), Sarapiy, Purita (Nazarenko, 61), Pikhalyonok, Blanco, Dovbyk.

Substitutions: Rybak, Yurchuk, Kononov, Loginov, Babenko, Rubchinsky.

Trainer: Valery Horodov.

AEK: Tumbas, Rosales, Milicevic, Gonzalez (k), Englezu (Casas, 59), Oyer, Gustavo (Mamas, 86), Altman, Farage (Gama, 66), Lopes (Romo, 59), Gyurcho (Trichkovsky, 86).

Substitutions: Pyrich, Stylianidis, Olatunji, Kypros, Naum, Andreu.

Trainer: Jose Luis Oltra.

Referee: Tobias Stiler (Germany).

Booked: Sarapiy (63) — Gustavu (62), Casas (90+3).

Sent off: Sarapiy (90+5, "D").

August 18. Kosice Košice Football Arena Stadium.

The return match will take place in Larnaca on Thursday, August 25.