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This week marks the third qualifying round in UEFA competitions. We have now entered the business end of the qualification process for clubs seeking to enter the Group Stage of UEFA tournaments this season.
Two teams seeking qualification to the play-off round are Dynamo Kyiv and Glasgow Rangers. Both are accomplished within their domestic leagues but how do they look entering this matchup?
Dynamo Kyiv – Won 9-2 in UEFA CL Qualifying Round Two
The home side will be playing from Arena Lublin, Poland. Dynamo are looking to build from a low fourth-place finish in 2022. Last season they qualified for the UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds through a second-place position only two points shy of juggernauts Shakhtar Donetsk.
Dynamo have a hugely talented squad including a raft of full Ukranian internationals. Some standouts are:
Volodymyr Brazhko, the 22-year-old defensive midfielder signed from Zorya Luhansk at the beginning of the 23/24 season. He played 26 times in the league last year and provided 11 goal contributions in the process. He grabbed a goal and an assist in Kyiv’s previous qualifying game. Brazhko has been capped 7 times by his country and appeared in each of Ukraine’s EURO 2024 games before they exited at the Group Stage.
Central midfielder Mykola Shaparenko wears number 10 for Dynamo Kyiv and, is a key provider. He achieved eigh assists from 22 games in the league last season. He is also a key figure for the national team being instrumental in Ukraine’s only win of EURO 2024, scoring and assisting in their 2-1 victory over Slovakia.
The talisman of Dynamo Kyiv is undoubtedly Vladyslav Vanat. The 22-year-old centre-forward scored 14 and assisted 10 in the league last season. He is also off the mark this campaign scoring and assisting across two legs in the previous round. Only making a brief cameo at EURO 2024 he isn’t as accomplished at the international level due to his competition as a striker, but being valued at €10m he is a name to be remembered.
Dynamo Kyiv vs Partizan Belgrade
Dynamo Kyiv only played two friendly games before their second-round qualifier against Partizan Belgrade. The team looked incredibly sharp despite that. The Serbian giants travelled to Poland for the first leg and received a 6-2 thrashing for their trouble. Kyiv was relentless, firing off 24 shots during the game, this constant attacking play will punish Rangers if they arrive in sluggish form. The return leg at Stadion Partizana, was not more fortunate with Dynamo carrying on from the first leg getting a 3-0 win, taking the aggregate to a breathtaking 9-2.
Rangers – Entering At Qualifying Round Three
Rangers are a contrasting image currently. They will enter this game following a poor preseason and a substandard opening fixture of the Scottish Premiership against Hearts. That game saw Rangers comfortably outplayed by ‘The Jam Tarts’ racking up a higher xG with a much better defensive performance on paper.
Rangers’ manager Philippe Clement
Rangers manager Philippe Clement was criticised for referencing a missing John Lundstram following Saturday’s game. The midfielder transferred to Trabzonspor in June 2024 on a free transfer. He was replaced by big-money signing Mohamed Diomandé arriving from FC Nordsjaelland, and free signing Connor Barron from Aberdeen.
The Glasgow giants still possess quality within their ranks. Experienced striker Cyriel Dessers scored 13 and assisted 4 in the Scottish Premiership last season. Incoming winger Vaclav Cerny has shown to be prolific in the Eredivisie for FC Twente, not one of the traditional Dutch giants. Also, James Tavernier despite being 32 played 58 games in all competitions last season scoring 24 and assisting 12, he is still Rangers’ most important player.
If Rangers arrive in Poland at their current form it will be easy pickings for a young and hungry Dynamo Kyiv team, but, with UEFA Conference League Group Stages guaranteed perhaps this already dejected Rangers will want to focus on making a second impression in the league against Motherwell on Saturday.
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