Dynamo dump Olympiakos out of Europe
UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE - ROUND OF 32 (LEG 2)
| Dynamo Kyiv | 1 - 0 | Olympiacos |
|---|---|---|
| Sol 32' | Agg. (3-2) |
Olympiacos crashed out of the UEFA Europa League on Thursday as Dynamo Kyiv defeated Pedro Martins’ side 1-0 in the second leg of their Round of 32 clash in freezing Kiev, earning the Ukrainians a 3-2 aggregate victory.
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Spanish striker Fran Sol marked his home debut with the only goal of the game at the NSK Olimpiyskiy stadium as Alyaksandr Khatskevich’s team booked their place in the last 16 of the competition.
Olympiacos gave a good account of themselves and created several decent chances to score, especially in the last quarter of the match, but each time the Thrylos were denied by the inspired Dynamo goalkeeper Denys Boyko.
The Greek giants are left to rue the late goal they conceded in last week’s first leg as their European adventure for the 2018/19 season comes to an end, and with it Greece’s interest in Europe until next season.
THE MATCH
Following their late equalizer in last week’s first leg, Dynamo began this match in the ascendancy in the tie, but Olympiacos made a bright enough start and looked to get forward at every opportunity.
There were a couple of notable forward forrays for the visitors, but Ahmed Hassan’s wayward early effort and a couple of dangerous crosses and pot shots from distance were all they could muster in a tightly contested affair.
After 32 minutes came the crucial breakthrough as the home side managed to score with their first real clear chance. And it was a home debut goal for Sol. Dynamo showed great persistence to keep an attack going when it seemed to have broken down. After the ball was worked out to Mykolenko, he crossed low and Sol stole in to score his first goal for the club he joined last month.
Olympiacos responded with a decent spell of possession and pressure, but for all their hard work the Thrylos failed to trouble Dynamo goalkeeper Boyko.
On the stroke of half-time the home side missed a great chance to go 2-0 up. Sol could - and probably should - have doubled his tally, collecting a flick-on at the far post and taking a touch, but his shot was weak and José Sá was able to block.
Olympiacos knew they would have to come up with more than a goal to get back in the tie so Martin’s sent on Giorgos Masouras at half-time, and the diminutive forward made his presence felt.
After 64 minutes, he went on a mazy run into the box and drew a brilliant reflex save from Boyko with a venomous shot which the Dynamo custodian parried over the crossbar.
Boyko came to the rescue again in the 74th minute when he produced another point blank save to deny Hassan, who directed the ball goalwards after good work from Masouras.
Finally, with just four minutes left on the clock it was Miguel Angel Guerrero’s turn to be thwarted by the excellent Boyko, who made another fine save to deny the Spanish striker.
STARTING LINEUPS
Dynamo Kyiv: 71 Boyko (GK), 7 Verbič, 8 Shepeliev, 9 Fran Sol, 10 Shaparenko, 15 Tsygankov (C), 16 Mykolenko, 26 Burda, 29 Buyalskiy, 30 Shabanov, 94 Kędziora
Olympiacos: José Sá (GK), 5 Bouchalakis, 7 Fortounis (C), 12 Guilherme, 18 Hassan, 20 Meriah, 21 Tsimikas, 31 Gil Dias, 35 Torosidis, 56 Daniel Podence 66 Cisse
