Dynamo Kiev vs Benfica

Stadion Miejski al. Unii Lubelskiej 2 in Lodz plays host to Dynamo Kiev’s Champions League playoff first-leg clash against high-flying Benfica.

Dynamo Kiev’s bid to halt a 31-year wait for a victory over Benfica could prove crucial to their effort to give devastated Ukrainian people some joy. Dynamo’s last and only win over the Portuguese heavyweights came in 1991, with the Ukrainians going winless in five subsequent H2Hs (D1, L4) without ever scoring again. Yet, if you’re looking for an omen, their solitary H2H success came in the Champions League playoffs. However, Mircea Lucescu’s men went scoreless in both Champions League group stage meetings with Benfica last season (D1, L1) as they eventually finished bottom of the group without a single win. After leaving Fenerbahce and Sturm Graz in their wake in the two previous qualifying rounds – despite winning just one leg (D2, L1 – 90mins only) – they will fancy their chances in Lodz again.

In the meantime, Benfica are seeking back-to-back Champions League group stage appearances following last season’s impressive run to the competition’s quarter-finals. Led by new boss Roger Schmidt, the ‘Eagles’ have shown they mean business this term by winning all four competitive matches via an aggregate score of 12-2, including a brace of multi-goal margin triumphs over defending Danish champions Midtjylland in the previous qualifying round. Benfica’s robust defensive performances in the opening hour of play have seen both of their competitive goals conceded this season arrive beyond the 60-minute mark. On top of that, they kept a resounding five clean sheets across eight away trips in last season’s Champions League (W3, D4, L1), suggesting they can be tough to beat.