Well-known journalist Mykola Nesenyuk shared his impressions of the first match of the playoff round of the Champions League between Dynamo Kyiv and Benfica Lisbon (0:2), which took place yesterday in Lodz, Poland
"Kyiv "Dynamo" brought a real football holiday to modest Lodz - when else will a Champions League match be played at the local stadium? So the whole city was decorated with advertisements with the logo of the strongest football tournament in the world and the city stadium was practically full.
Was it a home stadium for Kyiv? It is unlikely that, as in the past, the Ukrainians who came to the stadium were not fans capable of creating a real atmosphere for a home game of this level. So the stands were sometimes so quiet that the shouts of twenty Benfica fans could be heard louder than the emotions of several thousand Ukrainians.
What did we expect from this game? Another miracle from Dynamo? Theoretically, it was possible, but for this, luck would have to be on our side, which would compensate for the difference in the class of football players of the champion of Ukraine and the champion of Portugal. Countries where there is no war and the warm sun shines all year round. Where several hundred Brazilian football players arrive every year, ready to fight for the right to play in the Portuguese championship. A miracle did not happen - the nominal hosts themselves "brought" two goals, and the guests did not particularly strain.
It is obvious that the Kyivans were playing at the limit of their current capabilities. Which, unfortunately, are not too big. They did everything they could and deserved a better result. Although small, there is a chance to make it to the Champions League. It didn't work. You can hope as much as you want for a rematch in Lisbon, but it will be an absolute fantasy. It remains to believe that this fantasy exists and to thank Lodz, where the three football holidays gifted to the city by Dynamo Kyiv will be remembered for a long time to come. Donated not of their own free will.
I really want this football holiday in Łódź to be the last. So that "Dynamo" makes its way to the next Champions League by playing really on its own field in Kyiv. Let's believe it. No way otherwise!" Nesenyuk wrote on his Facebook page.