Drogheda United vs Dynamo Kyiv
Credit:
Drogheda United face Ukrainian side Dynamo Kyiv in the first leg of the 2nd Qualifying Round of the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night in Dalymount Park. The Louthmen face tough challenge against a side that has made it to the group stages of the competition for the last two seasons. However Kyiv have failed to win a group game in the last 12 attempts, managing two draws and ten defeats.
Drogheda manager Paul Doolin will be delighted that he goes into the game with no major injury worries. Even with a fully fit squad, Doolin is fully aware of the pedigree of the opposition.
"These guys are a very good side. I think they have a few hundred international caps between them. Their 'keeper has 80+, so that's the sort of opposition we're talking about."
"We've played a few tough teams in the past. These will be the best side we've played, but we've learned a lot from those other games and it will stand to us."
Stuart Byrne is no stranger to European games, having been a key figure in Shelbourne’s famous European run in 2004, which saw them defeat KR Reykjavik and Hajduk Split before drawing at home with Deportivo, before losing away to the Spanish side. Byrne says that the players are feeling the pressure, and that it's a positive thing.
"In a game like this there is pressure to perform. But that's a good thing I think. It makes you concentrate more, ensure you do things right."
Talking about the Deportivo defeat four years ago, he believes that concentration is the key in big European games.
"I think in that game we lost our concentration and lost our shape, and you can't do that. I think I've learned from that game though."
The game kicks off at 19:45 and Drogheda United and the FAI have urged fans of the league to get down to Dalymount and make it a night to remember.
Drogheda United have tonight have confirmed that the club will run a chartered flight to Kyiv for next week's Champions League 2nd Qualifying Round, 2nd Leg tie with Dynamo Kyiv. The charter is part-subsidised by Drogheda United Football Club.
