Football news

News from the Cyprus-based «Omonia» ahead of the match against Kyiv «Dynamo» in the Conference League.

In the team’s last training session before the match, Moroccan forward Ryan Mmae felt discomfort in a previously injured area and will not be able to participate in the game, according to local media.

The central defender of the Ukrainian national team, Valerii Bondar, commented on the draw for the 2026 World Cup playoffs and the possible venues for our national team’s matches.

«I think it’s a normal draw and we have nothing to complain about. We have a skilled team. With such top-level players we have, we must step onto the football field and show our maximum. We must understand that we have 45 million people behind us who care about us deeply.

The country is currently in a very difficult situation. Therefore, in March, we need to achieve the impossible to qualify for the World Cup and delight all the citizens of Ukraine.

Where should the national team play in the playoffs? Even if we play in Poland against Poland, half of the stadium will support us. Many Ukrainians live there. Whenever we play in Poland, there is always great support», Bondar said.

On October 4th, Volodymyr Sharan returned to 'Alexandria'. However, he took charge of the second team and continues to work with the youth of the 'Citizens'.

According to UA-Football, during the winter break, the 54-year-old specialist will return to work in the UPL and take the position of head coach of Alexandria’s first team.

The last time Sharan coached a UPL representative was almost two years ago, when he was dismissed as the head coach of 'Minaj' in November 2023. Sharan could have returned to coaching at the end of last season. He was offered to head 'Chornomorets', but Volodymyr Bohdanovych declined for personal reasons.

The current head coach of 'Alexandria' is Kyrylo Nesterenko.

The chief referee expert of UAF, Nicola Rizzoli, commented on the controversial episode of the 13th round match of the Ukrainian championship between «Kolos» and «Dynamo».

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Liverpool’s head coach, Arne Slot, may be dismissed soon due to the team’s poor results.

According to TEAMtalk, the Liverpool management has identified former Tottenham and Nottingham Forest head coach Angelos Postecoglou as the main candidate for the potential vacancy. The Liverpool bosses are impressed by the working methods of the Australian specialist.

Yesterday, Liverpool suffered a crushing 1−4 home defeat to PSV in the Champions League match.

Former midfielder of Lviv’s 'Karpaty', Ihor Khudobyak, shared his prediction for the UEFA Conference League match between 'Omonia' and 'Dynamo'.

«I think the club has made its choice and will allow Shovkovsky to work until the winter break, and then they will sort things out, analyze, and possibly make a replacement.

At the moment, the level of football in Cyprus is slightly better than in Ukraine. However, I wouldn’t say there’s a rise in Cypriot football. The level of the Ukrainian championship has simply dropped due to the war with Russia. The situation is only better in that better foreign players are now going to Cyprus more often than to the Ukrainian championship.

As of now, 'Omonia' appears to be a more stable team than 'Dynamo'. But is there anything particularly special or significantly better about Omonia? No. I think the opponents are roughly equal. Most likely, 'Dynamo' will play on counterattacks. After all, the flights and travel play a role — the team is tired, there will be rotation.

Yes, of course, a victory in Cyprus will help Kyiv improve the psychological mood and atmosphere in the team. But to get out of the crisis, more confident matches and a few consecutive wins are needed. A draw would be a decent result for 'Dynamo'. A loss would be painful, the crisis would only deepen, and it would be very difficult. To win, they need to play well in defense, use counterattacks, catch 'Omonia' on set pieces, and score their goal.

My prediction is a 1:1 draw,» Khudobyak said.

Former striker of the Ukrainian national team Ivan Hetsko expressed his opinion about the upcoming Conference League match between Omonia and Dynamo.

«We all hope for victory. This is Kyiv’s 'Dynamo'—a grand and brand of all Ukrainian football to this day. Many children and young players have dreamed of getting there, showing themselves.

I don’t even know where 'Omonia' plays or which country it is from. Cyprus? Everyone knows Kyiv’s 'Dynamo', but this is Cyprus. We know two or three teams that advance to European competitions from there. I don’t believe the Cypriot league is stronger than the Ukrainian one. I can’t imagine that. Yes, there are two or three clubs that are more or less, but the rest—that’s something else... Where is Ukraine, and where is Cyprus?

Players who once played for 'Dynamo' would say they would beat such a club on one leg. So talking about any draws... I can’t even bring myself to say it. There should definitely be a victory; we have to play for the win. I would like 'Dynamo' to win by a two-goal difference,» Hetsko said.

Journalist Dmitry Gordon talked about how he won a court case against «Inhulets» president Oleksandr Povoroznyuk.

«Today, the Pechersk District Court of Kyiv satisfied my lawsuit against Oleksandr Povoroznyuk and LLC 'Znai' in the case of protecting honor, dignity, and business reputation. The court recognized the information spread by Povoroznyuk in an interview with the YouTube channel Politeka Online as false. He claimed that I was supposedly an 'FSB agent' and that I have apartments in Moscow. The video interview was removed from the channel immediately after the lawsuit was filed.

According to the court’s decision, Povoroznyuk is obliged to refute this information in the same way it was spread — by reading the text of the refutation on the Politeka Online channel. This video must be uploaded to the YouTube channel no later than 15 days after the decision takes effect.

In court, the defendant could not substantiate his claims, stating that the remarks referred to 'another Gordon'. However, an expert examination confirmed that Povoroznyuk was speaking specifically about me.

’When a person publicly spreads false information, it cannot go unpunished,' emphasized lawyer Edvin Odintsov, who represented my interests,» Gordon wrote on his Telegram channel.

Ukrainian goalkeeper of Madrid’s «Real» Andriy Lunin received a commendable review from the leading Spanish newspaper Marca for his performance in the main round of the Champions League match against «Olympiacos».

«Lunin is not Courtois because there’s no one better than the Belgian. But Lunin’s play deserves praise. He had a great season when Thibaut injured his knee and was a key player in winning the championship and Champions League titles for Madrid’s „Real“.

In Athens, he debuted under the guidance of Xabi Alonso and returned to the starting lineup, something he hadn’t done since May. He conceded after a brilliant shot by Chiquinho but then made three decisive saves. Truly an impressive feat. The calm of the Ukrainian is sometimes striking; it’s his virtue. Because another goalkeeper in the game, which led to a scoreline of 2−3, would seriously chastise his defenders. But everyone has their limits, and with the score at 3−4, he did not lose his composure,» says the publication’s material.

The scorer of the first goal in the history of the Ukrainian national team, Ivan Hetsko, shared his expectations for the main round match of the Conference League 'Shamrock Rovers' — 'Shakhtar'.

— We are pouring from empty to empty again. What kind of Ireland? What kind of football can there be? I understand the national team plays at a normal level because the players perform in top leagues. But the teams in the championship — that’s something else... I think that 'Shakhtar' is a top team in terms of players. Two 'miners' players are probably worth more than the whole opposing team.

I can’t even imagine not winning here. Yes, the Irish are strong, but we have Brazilians, the best Ukrainians, and they have the power to win — there can’t even be a debate about that. I would be surprised if something extraordinary happens, but I don’t want to believe it. I believe that 'Shakhtar' will play at a high level, show its skill, and achieve the desired result.

Who will score for 'Shakhtar'? Well, it’s hard to say. Against whom? The opposing team played with ten men (Obolon), they were broken. It’s the same as 'Dynamo' beating 'Kryvbas' 4—0 and then losing to everyone in a row. That’s why it feels bitter to me. It’s unclear what’s happening in Ukrainian top-tier teams. I think that even in Europe, financially 'Shakhtar' and 'Dynamo' are not inferior to the mid-rank in top leagues. And the 'miners' even surpass somewhere — in terms of players' salaries. I think 'Dynamo' is also doing well in this regard. Why there is no game — a question for the coaches.

Yes, we have the main argument — the war continues. But in Israel, the war has been going on for many years, and teams play in the European cups. But I don’t think our giants are playing poorly because of the war. We have a championship going on, yes, there are alarms, but we finish the matches. I understand that it may affect that the players think more about their families, their parents, wives, and children. Maybe that’s why there is a lack of motivation to gather and play at a serious level. Anything can be, but 'Shakhtar’s level is higher than 'Shamrock’s'. The 'miners' must win.

’Shakhtar' will score its two or three goals. They should score and dry the game, forcing the opposing team to run without the ball. And this is due to skill, not just class. They have to beat them on one foot, but there should be no underestimation of the opponent — this is the most important thing, because sometimes we have such an issue. This is also shown by the game of Kyiv 'Dynamo', which performed like this against 'Kolos'. To play so poorly... It’s shocking. Where are we going and what will happen next...", — said Hetsko.

Ukrainian coach Yuriy Vernydub may continue his coaching career in Azerbaijan.

As reported by journalist Fuad Alakbarov on his page on the social network X, 'Neftchi' is close to agreeing on a deal with Vernydub regarding his appointment as the new head coach of the team. Vernydub is expected to arrive in Baku on November 29.

Let us remind you that the previous club of Vernydub was 'Kryvbas', which the specialist left in the summer of 2025.

Ukrainian goalkeeper of Madrid’s 'Real' Andriy Lunin commented on his team’s victory in the main round match of the Champions League against 'Olympiacos'.

"+3 points, we continue to be united. Thank you for your support," Lunin wrote on his Instagram page.

Let’s recall, in this encounter 'Real' secured a hard-fought victory with a score of 4:3 thanks to Mbappe’s poker.