Former Ukraine national team player Andriy Polunin told what he expects from the first play-off match of the Champions League qualification round between Dynamo Kyiv and Austrian Salzburg, which will be held tomorrow in Lublin.
"The match is of great interest. It will be very important for both teams, not hiding their desire due to getting into the main part of the Champions League, to significantly replenish the club coffers and when receiving tempting offers to profitably sell their leading players. So far, this approach in functioning has brought more dividends to Salzburg. Dynamo players have someone to take an example from.
In my opinion, the game of Kyivians in the current season does not make a solid impression yet. This was the case in recent duels on the international arena with Glasgow Rangers and in duels with Veres and Karpaty in the UPL. And it is good that the opponents did not take advantage of these upsets. But Salzburg is a completely different level. Austrian players are now in demand, there is a large group of quality internationals. That's why Dynamo players should not allow themselves to relax - only maximum concentration.
Naturally, it will be a competition of coaching ideas. Will Kyiv coach Oleksandr Shovkovskiy find counterarguments against Salzburg's 4-3-3 attacking scheme, how will the nominal hosts use the space, will there be a place in the starting lineup for Oleksandr Pihalenka, who was a sensation in the August matches?
And although most experts consider Salzburg to be the favorite, I hope that Kyiv will score one more goal in Lublin," Polunin said.