Dynamo Kyiv vs Everton

, 19 March, 45comments  |  Jump to most recent

(Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Everton hope to be the only British club to make it into the quarter finals of European competition this season as they take on Dynamo Kyiv.

The Blues will kick off with a 2-1 lead from the first-leg thanks to Romelu Lukaku's late penalty at Goodison Park a week ago and Roberto Martinez has intimated that simply trying to keep a clean sheet wouldn't be a prudent strategy in what could be an intimidating atmosphere in the in the 70,000-seater Olympic National Sports Complex.

The manager said at yesterday's pre-match press conference that he will be looking to treat the match like a home game while Gareth Barry, a potential starter after sitting out the win over Newcastle because of a domestic suspension, says that Everton will likely need to score and thereby cancel out Oleg Gusev's away goal if they are to progress.

With Kevin Mirallas out injured with a dead leg and Aaron Lennon ineligible, Martinez will need to look elsewhere in the squad for natural width. Aiden McGeady has recovered from a knee injury but has only been back in full training for a couple of days but will be assessed prior to the game for inclusion in the starting XI.

Christian Atsu, meanwhile, has experience of playing in the Europa League for the Blues after starting the game in Krasnodar, albeit with mixed results, and he is fully fit and coming off an assist for the third goal last Sunday.

John Stones is expected to be fully fit after only being named on the subs' bench against Newcastle because of the lingering effects of a virus and could come back in at the expense of Antolin Alcaraz.

Martinez has voiced concerns over the playing surface in Kyiv but admitted that it will be the same for two "technical teams". Leighton Baines, meanwhile, says that he expecting this leg to be "night and day" from the first leg at Goodison in terms of Dynamo's approach to the game.

Kyiv's manager, Sergey Rebrov, meanwhile, says that he has told his players that his troubled country is relying on them to get the result that will push them through to the next phase of the competition.

“Any success for Dynamo is success for the whole of Ukraine,” he said last week, referencing the border conflict with Russia and Ukraine's political instability in recent years. “It's a difficult time for our country. I'm always telling the players that football for some people is a brief breath of fresh air. I hope they understand that.”

Kick off: 6pm

 

Reader Comments (45)

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Oscar Huglin
1 Posted 19/03/2015 at 11:04:43
I think itÂ’s important that we give Atsu the chance to bring his AFCoN form to us. McGeady has been far too much of a liability, although he undoubtedly has the talent to make a difference if he plays at his best. Difficult decision for RM, itÂ’s just a shame Mirallas is out as he would have made it much easier.
IÂ’m getting more and more excited and more and more nervous with each second that we move towards tonightÂ’s game. COYB.
Colin Glassar
2 Posted 19/03/2015 at 11:14:00
I will miss tonightÂ’s game as I will be working but I will try and follow it on the TW live forum, even though it is sometimes suicidal inducing.
I honestly believe we can go through as long as we donÂ’t make any silly mistakes in the first 20-30 mins. Keep it tight, keep it boring, frustrate them then hit them on the break. Are you reading this Roberto?
James Flynn
3 Posted 19/03/2015 at 11:23:14
Well, I hope we put out an attacking Side. The pressure is all on them.

A bit off topic, but Lyndon mentions MirallasÂ’ "dead leg". Over the years, IÂ’ve seen that injury term used a number of times. ItÂ’s not a term used over here in American sport.

So when a player is out with a "dead leg", what is the actual injury?

Denis Richardson
4 Posted 19/03/2015 at 11:22:58
Sadly going to miss the game as IÂ’m travelling this evening. ItÂ’s going to be a tough game and with no KM or AL width is going to be an issue for us, as usual.

Doubt weÂ’ll keep a clean sheet so itÂ’s important that Gibson starts and hopefully Osman can play a part as theyÂ’re the only players we have who can play a decent pass forward. We need to keep it tight at the beginning so as to hopefully frustrate them and the home crowd.

IÂ’d be tempted to play 4321 to start with, with Barry, Gibson, McCarthy as the 3, Atsu and Osman as the 2 and Rom up top. Garbutt, Kone and Naismith available on the bench depending how things are going - can switch to 442 if needed.

Fingers crossed - hopefully this isnÂ’t the end of our season in mid March!

Denis Richardson
5 Posted 19/03/2015 at 11:31:42
James 3 - if someone eg knees you in the thigh youÂ’ll have a Â’dead legÂ’. Basically the thigh muscle is bruised and itÂ’s impossible to run properly until its cleared itself up.

(Whilst playing up front in my younger days, CBs would sometimes try a cheeky knee in the thigh when the ref wasnÂ’t looking - if they connected you were no longer able to sprint around and itÂ’s not possible to run it off.)

Tony Draper
6 Posted 19/03/2015 at 11:26:13
Before any of us get too carried away, please remember that this is Everton and so therefore we must expect:

to lose a player through an inexplicable sending off.
for a Dinamo Player to commit a pair of yellow/red card offences and remain on the pitch.
to be denied a blatant penalty.
to have a penalty awarded against us for no apparent reason.
to score a superb goal which will be ruled out for some non-existent trivial infringement.
to concede a goal which clearly should not be awarded because of a blatant handball/offside.

I donÂ’t say that all of the above will occur, just that I fully expect them all.
The games began with the pitch.

But bloody hell, I really want us to do the fuckinÂ’ business tonight !

Jim Bennings
8 Posted 19/03/2015 at 11:31:35
Monumental match tonight!

This is our season defining moment in my opinion.
I believe we will not go down if we get six more points in the league which, given our fixture list shouldnÂ’t be that difficult really.

The league now means little, the only thing that can save our season and make it memorable for the right reasons is if weccontinue this European adventure to at least the quarters or semi final, or perhaps even dare to dream of winning it.

We need to score tonight.
What I donÂ’t want to see is us sitting back surrendering possession to Kiev because you just know the inevitable hard luck story will follow with us conceding a late goal and losing the tie due to away goals.

If we get the first goal then that will really plant doubt in the Dynamo Kiev players minds about their own ability to beat us.
We can hurt their defence if we play like we have in the last three halves of football, play like we did in the first half against Kiev or in the entire Stoke match then we will get smashed up and elimination will be deserved.

The loss of Mirallas is a big blow, a frustrating guy but nevertheless a match-winner, couple that with Aaron Lennon ineligible then our wide options are looking sparse.
I donÂ’t think McGeady or Atsu are really the reliable duo to play in such a high pressure hostile atmosphere but what else?

Lets just hope we do ourselves justice tonight and donÂ’t go out on a whimper or another hard luck story.

This is a chance to defy the bollox that has gone on all season, can these players for once do it when the real pressure and spotlight is on them?

Make it happen Blues.!!

Kevin Tully
9 Posted 19/03/2015 at 11:44:43
Funny, Tony. Expect a post match "F*****g typical Everton."

ItÂ’s funny being a Blue, you always expect a "hoof in the plums." (TM EJ Ruane) Definitely builds character though, IÂ’m a miserable fecker after every game.

Patrick Murphy
10 Posted 19/03/2015 at 11:53:40
BBC News up to 11:30,havenÂ’t mentioned anything about tonightÂ’s game or the Uefa cup in general - they did however inform me that second division Everton Ladies managed to win 2-1 last night - congratulations to them. LetÂ’s hope we manage to win otherwise weÂ’ll be all over BBC Sports news tomorrow morning.
Max Wilson
11 Posted 19/03/2015 at 11:55:19
There have been dirty tricks to stop us already- the pitch not being available to train on. TheyÂ’ve tried that in Turkey before now with British visitors. Team selection is vital. McGeady should be left at home
in the opinion of Toffees I know. Attacking at speed and getting into their box is what will win the game. I expect to see Barkley have a good game.
Patrick Murphy
12 Posted 19/03/2015 at 11:57:22
We should try and do what Juventus did last night get an early goal, which would increase the pressure on Kiev and give us something to really hang on to.
Kieran Carr
13 Posted 19/03/2015 at 12:04:55
I canÂ’t add any sensible input other than "please dear God for once just let it be us".
Joe Clitherow
14 Posted 19/03/2015 at 12:10:24
Score one and they need three in normal time to knock us out and they didnÂ’t look good enough.

Then again neither did Hull

James Lauwervine
16 Posted 19/03/2015 at 12:08:36
This has become the most important game of the season so far now for me. It would be great to be only UK-based team (I wonÂ’t use the term Â’BritishÂ’) in the last 8 in Europe.

HereÂ’s the team IÂ’d pick (I think), except goalie but no point suggesting an alternative:

Howard
Coleman, Stones, Jagielka, Baines
Gibson, McCarthy, Atsu
Barkley
Kone, Lukaku.

Matthew Salem
17 Posted 19/03/2015 at 12:25:05
I canÂ’t see them scoring 3 against us, to be honest. We most certainly need to score tonight though. If we are able to absorb the pressure for the for the first 20-30min, then the pressure will increase on them and I fully expect us to have opportunities to counter. COYB!
Dave Pritchard
18 Posted 19/03/2015 at 12:25:52
Atsu preferable to McGeady for me. Neither has done much for us but Atsu will be fitter which swings it in his favour. WouldnÂ’t surprise me to see RM go for no wingers at all though.

Really looking forward to watching tonight. Usually means it ends in tears but come on me, be positive for goodness sake.

Jay Woods
19 Posted 19/03/2015 at 12:32:38
WeÂ’ll always be vulnerable to experiencing "typical Everton" outcomes while the current club ownership is in place. That said, tonight might not be a night for going through that again.

The big worry is that weÂ’ll concede because weÂ’re generally good for letting in at least one goal in every game this season, while at the same time very dodgy going forward.

Sam Hoare
20 Posted 19/03/2015 at 12:35:26
Kieran, 13. YouÂ’re best of saving those prayers. If we do make it tonight then there will be better teams to play than Kiev and if we make somehow make it to the final then suddenly this season could become our best in a very long time. If we do make it that far I have a horrible feeling we might face a vengeful Wolfsburg!

But first things first. Get through tonight. Keep it calm and disciplined with fast breaks to try and get that crucial away goal.

Tough lineup but:

Howard
Coleman Stones Jags Baines
Besic Barry McCarthy
Mcgeady Lukaku Naismith

Think Mcgeady has to be preferred over Atsu for his experience and work rate.

Craig Walker
21 Posted 19/03/2015 at 12:51:46
IÂ’d like to echo what Kieran Carr says @13.
Oscar Huglin
22 Posted 19/03/2015 at 12:55:32
My starting 11 would be:

Howard
Coleman Jagielka Stones Baines
McCarthy Gibson
Naismith Barkley Atsu/McGeady
Lukaku

The Atsu/McGeady decision is really difficult - itÂ’ll be interesting to see what Martinez does. I think IÂ’m leaning towards Atsu simply for his international performances, but McGeady has European experience and can change games if he brings his A-game.

Recently, however, weÂ’ve only seen his F-game.

We need to score the first goal. Actually, scratch that, we need to score. I think the scenario IÂ’m dreading most is 0-0 with 10-20 minutes to go, as I donÂ’t think I could see us holding on to that scoreline. And if we do I wonÂ’t have any fingernails left.

IÂ’m not going to be able to concentrate on anything today... This is such a massive game.

COYB.

Tom Bowers
23 Posted 19/03/2015 at 13:07:05
Atsu should start because of his pace ahead of Osman.

Nuff said!

Jim Hardin
24 Posted 19/03/2015 at 13:30:43
CanÂ’t believe I am posting this but, with the mental errors Stones continues to make on defending crosses and set pieces, I would rather see Alcaraz in the back four given his experience and his linking up with McCarthy and with the right wing players.
Lyndon Lloyd
25 Posted 19/03/2015 at 13:41:02
James (3), Denis (5) explains it well but I believe youÂ’d call it a "Charlie Horse" in the US.

ItÂ’s usually a trivial injury that lasts a few days and IÂ’ve seen a few people voicing suspicion that he could be out for a week with it but if the muscle gets smashed against the bone hard enough, it can take around 3 weeks to heal. It happened to me last year and I couldnÂ’t train on it for two weeks because of the extent that it affected my thigh/quad.

Colin Metcalfe
26 Posted 19/03/2015 at 13:15:33
Important we start positive. Play anything like the first 30 last week we will get punished. I would like to see a high-tempo game pressing them high up field .

Having few options tonight on the right side of midfield itÂ’s McGeady tonight for me. His experience in the Russian league will be an advantage on the field. Atsu has not had many chancees to impress but I would not play him from the start in such an important game, maybe to come on for McGeady in the last 20 when no doubt he will tire having been out for quite a long spell.

Watching Barcelona last night, it was interesting how they have tweaked their passing game. I wouldnÂ’t say they have ditched their tiki taka style of play but itÂ’s clear they are more direct nowadays, an observation I hope has not gone unnoticed by RM.

I can see us soaking up quite a bit pressure tonight then trying to hit them on the break which has brought us a lot success in this competition but also important we try to keep the ball when in possession. For once I will be happy to our sideways backwards style of play while the minutes count down! My prediction 2-2

David Booth
27 Posted 19/03/2015 at 13:36:20
In the absence of Mirallas, am I the only one who thinks Kone should partner Lukaku up front to give them two strikers to worry about?

HeÂ’s energetic, pacey, keen to get his scoring and would keep their defenders occupied on both flanks.

McGeady, in a game like this, is surely not an option. But I would be happy to see Atsu given a chance. DonÂ’t think he has really had an opportunity to show what he can do yet.

IÂ’d like to see us play virtually the same team as Saturday - with the possible exception of Stones for Alcaraz (although the latter didnÂ’t do much wrong at the weekend).

But whoever plays, get at them Blues. Sitting back or packing midfield with defenders, is not the way to go into this tie. No Barry, McCarthy, Gibson axis. But Barry is RobertoÂ’s number one favourite, so not much hope of him not being re-instated?

And much as I love Nais for his guts and workrate, not him in midfield either please.

I love Barkley in Europe too, where he gets the chance to run at defenders as part of a marauding trio up front. We so need to show what weÂ’re capable of tonight, not try and sneak through by holding on to what weÂ’ve got.

So McCarthy, Gibson and for once in my life, Osman, across the middle for me tonight, with Ross, Kone and Lukakuuuuuuuu up front.

We showed at Goodison how good Kiev can be if we fanny around and allow them to dictate the pace. Equally, we showed how they can be beaten by taking the game to them and going direct.

Hope the same Everton that played the second half at Goodison that night kicks off this evening.

WeÂ’ll know the way this game is going to go within a few minutes of that happening. Hope the right team turns up and realises how winnable this tie/leg is. We CAN win this competition.

Having been to Lille, Wolfsburg and Bern, I want to end up in Warsaw after a couple more European adventures...

COYB! Make it happen.

Tony J Williams
28 Posted 19/03/2015 at 14:03:13
I canÂ’t add any sensible input other than "please dear God for once just let it be us".

Amen Brother Kieran

Tony Hill
29 Posted 19/03/2015 at 14:24:21
And let us hope that Mr Howard doesnÂ’t have one of his special moments.
Kris Boner
30 Posted 19/03/2015 at 14:45:36
I can see Kiev lining up, what can only be politely described as, a metric fuckton of shots on Howard tonight. Hope heÂ’s in Wolfsburg/Belgium form tonight because heÂ’s going to be under pressure all night.
Paul Mackie
31 Posted 19/03/2015 at 15:11:20
The first goal tonight is absolutely crucial. If we get it then Kyiv will have to throw everything at us and that plays right into our hands.

If they score first then expect our lack of creativity to once again be our undoing.

Joseph Terrence
32 Posted 19/03/2015 at 13:48:19
Ideal Starting XI
--------------------Howard
Coleman--Stones--Jagielka---Baines
--------McCarthy----Gibbo--------
Atsu----Kone/Barkley-----Barkley/Kone
-------------------Lukaku-------
Peter Jones
33 Posted 19/03/2015 at 15:13:41
We score 2 quick goals in the first half, (Lukaku, Kone) knock the stuffing out of them, they panic, and we score 2 more in the second half (Baines, Coleman).
Victor Jones
34 Posted 19/03/2015 at 14:50:50
God is not going to have much to do with this match tonight, but Mr. Martinez's selection and tactics will have everything to do with Everton getting a result.

I think that the main consensus is that we need a goal (or maybe even two goals). I don't want to see Everton setting up to try and defend their 2-1 lead, because that won't work. I don't want to see Everton trying to pass the ball aimlessly about for 90 minutes, because, no matter what Martinez thinks, we do not have the players to do that. I want Everton to take the game to Dynamo Kyiv. I want Everton to set up with intent and to be attack minded. Try and put Kyiv on the back foot from the kick-off.

The team selection will show what Martinez's intent is. Should he approach this game with 2 or 3 defensive midfielders, then I think that we are in for a long night. Should he approach this game a bit positive, with maybe Osman and Gibson in the team, and go for the first goal, then this could be our night. Play 4-4-2. With Lukaku up front, partnered with either Kone or Naismith. Play players in their proper positions. And forget about wingers (for tonight).

Be positive. Get a lead. Play this game in their half. Make them worry about Everton. Not Everton worrying about them. Here's hoping that we give this match a proper go, and not regret anything afterwards. No hard luck stories, no leaving some of our game out on the pitch. I have faith. But only with the right approach.

Normally I would say for everyone to keep an eye on the QPR game. But not tonight. Let's field a strong and attack-minded team, and win this match. Nothing beats a good win, and a bit of confidence. The QPR game will take care of itself.

Sorry about my last comment, but the only man who can lose us this game tonight is Roberto Martinez. And ironically the one man who can win us this game is Roberto Martinez. Do you trust him to do the right things? Do you trust his philosophy? I'm not so sure. But I of course want Everton to win regardless. This could be a long night... FOREVER EVERTON.

James Marshall
36 Posted 19/03/2015 at 16:05:01
James @3

I've had a dead leg, and it's brutally painful. You can't walk let alone play football. It's when your thigh muscle takes an almighty whack and the muscle gets severely bruised to the point where you simply can't use it. Can take a couple of weeks to heal sometimes.

Chris Lawlor
37 Posted 19/03/2015 at 15:51:17
I'm not too hopeful for this one given the conditions and the 70,000 partisan crowd baying for victory. This will require our best performance of the season and from the very 1st minute.

Please boys ....please do this and banish the ghosts of Villarreal away and Fiorentina home. I'll be sat at my desk here in the US getting sod all work done. COYB!!!

Harold Matthews
38 Posted 19/03/2015 at 15:37:37
The highly profesional way they gave us the runaround till they scored their away goal doesn't fill me with a great deal of hope but we are well capable of causing a surprise. Chances will come and they must be taken. No excuses for missed sitters at this level. A very difficult task but let's hope our recent upward curve continues.
Tim Greeley
39 Posted 19/03/2015 at 16:37:13
Ha - I'll be in the exact same position Chris!! Nervous eating like a lunatic.........

I couldn't even deal with the Newcastle match on Sunday and disappeared until the end. Was viewing this one as "gravy".......but now I'm losing it all over again.

Brian Harrison
41 Posted 19/03/2015 at 16:39:34
I think a lot depends on if we can keep Yarmelenko quiet. The lad looked a talented player last week and everything that Kiev did came from him. He played wide right but I hear he can also play down the middle, but we need to make sure we keep him shackled as much as possible.

I don't think we are equipped to go for a 0-0 draw and I agree with Barry for us to have any chance of progressing we will have to score.

Nick Page
42 Posted 19/03/2015 at 17:00:30
The dirty tricks started when Yarmalenko's red card was overturned by Uefa and Michelle "I hate the fucking English cos I'm a big nosed French prick" Platini who then turned a blind fucking foreign eye to all the violence in the ground. Shower of fucking twats they are.
Oscar Huglin
43 Posted 19/03/2015 at 17:04:26
Starting eleven just announced:

Howard
Coleman Jagielka Alcaraz Baines
McCarthy Barry
Naismith Barkley Atsu
Lukaku

Shame about Stones, but otherwise a strong team. My only change would be Gibson over Barry, but it's easy to forget how recently Gibson returned from months on the sidelines.

Getting so close now...

COYB.

Joe Clitherow
44 Posted 19/03/2015 at 16:59:12
Harold 38

Never one to disagree with you but I think for the most part we allowed the run around in large measure last game. Agreed they were up to the task when we *did* allow that, but once we changed the play after 30 mins it was really disappointing that we didn't score more goals and kill the tie off. They certainly looked a much more containable team once we started applying pressure of our own, which is how we must play tonight in my view.

We simply must score because then three is a big ask of any team (though 2-1 and penalties is not appealing either) but 1-0 to Kiev would be enough for them and I can certainly see that scenario playing out unfortunately.

Joe Clitherow
45 Posted 19/03/2015 at 17:09:29
Naismith and Barkley together again with Barry holding.....

Prepared to eat my words but I really don't think this guy learns from anything.

Linda Morrison
46 Posted 19/03/2015 at 17:09:52
We need to score as I think it's too much pressure to try to keep them out the whole game. I have concerns over the pitch and the atmosphere, but expect us to be in the next round hat after the game tonight.

On another note it seems that Mirrallis will be out until after the internationals. Surely not another friendly match or is it the Euro qualifiers? I think it's a wise move to keep Alcaraz in.

Glen Garrett
47 Posted 19/03/2015 at 17:35:23
It's looking like Alcaraz is going to be starting? I just hope that he puts in a real performance – otherwise Everton will be having problems at the back.

Everton have just got to go for it all tonight just keep it tight in defence. Howard has got to stay alert and not make stupid mistakes like he has been doing. Everton have got to attack, attack, attack — don't just sit on the ball.

Glen Garrett
48 Posted 19/03/2015 at 19:27:13
We need a new manager and a new defence that final.

Alcaraz shouldn’t be in the 1st team he is gutless poor defending bloody shocking.

The dream is now over.

Ant Dwyer
49 Posted 19/03/2015 at 23:00:11
Fuck me we are shocking.
Sack Martinez asap.

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