Will Barca get their frustration off their chest?
FC Barcelona could not have started the Champions League group stage any worse. After all, the Catalans not only lost two games on the first two matchdays, but also conceded a total of six goals. In the third group match, FC Barcelona is now under pressure to win. Another defeat against Dynamo Kiev would be the coup de grace for the FCB.
Ronald Koeman’s team regained their self-confidence before the crucial group match against the visitors from the Ukraine and secured an important home victory in La Liga. The stumbling Catalans fought their way back into the game despite trailing at one stage to claim three well-deserved points against Valencia FC.
In the top flight, Barca will now be looking to take their recent momentum with them and end their current home drought in the process. In fact, there have been three home defeats in a row in the Champions League in recent seasons.
the Catalans are clearly favoured against the Ukrainian guests. The two clubs already met last year in the group stage of the Champions League, when FC Barcelona beat the visitors from Kiev in the first and second legs – a good omen for Koeman & Co.
Barcelona – Statistics & current form
Over the last few weeks, the form crisis at the Catalans was glossed over with the personnel worries, but in the meantime, the lazaretto at FC Barcelona has been significantly reduced. After the return of key players like Ansu Fati & Co., it was therefore of immense importance to win the most recent home match against FC Valencia.
For Ronald Koeman in particular, it was a small liberation blow, after all, the Dutchman became a target for the fans after FCB’s false start. The next test of maturity now awaits the Catalans in the top flight, where there is no more room for losing points.
On the first two matchdays, there were two defeats. Neither in the group opener against Bayern nor in the away match in Lisbon could the FCB score. In addition, Barca’s attack, which was already weakened by a lack of substitutes, also failed to score. It is quite possible that the knot will burst on Wednesday evening.
Will Fati & Co. provide an offensive spectacle against Dynamo?
Enough potential is available in the offensive – especially after the recovery of key players – to master the home game against the guests from Kiev. One of the most important players in the attacking department is undoubtedly Ansu Fati. The youngster recently celebrated a successful comeback after his injury and even scored a goal.
It is quite possible that the 18-year-old will also be a success factor for FC Barcelona in the top flight. So far, the Catalans have only lost four of 21 competitive matches against teams from Ukraine in the entire history of the club. If they can build on their record against the Eastern Europeans, Barcelona vs. Dynamo Kiev offers decent odds for betting on the Catalans.
Predicted Barcelona line-up:
Ter Stegen; Roberto, Pique, Lenglet, Alba; Gavi, Busquets, De Jong; Dest, Depay, Fati
Last matches played by Barcelona:
Dynamo Kiev – Statistics & current form
Unlike FC Barcelona, Dynamo Kiev have already picked up a point in the group stage of the top flight. That point came in the opening match against Benfica Lisbon, where the Ukrainian champions came within a whisker of victory. Dynamo Kiev’s last-minute goal against Benfica was disallowed following a VAR decision.
Like the Catalans, Dynamo Kiev have not yet scored a goal. Especially against Bayern, the attack left a weak impression. After all, in the entire match against Munich, only two of the six shots attempted by the Ukrainians were on target.
The reigning Ukrainian champions may now face another away debacle in Barcelona. So far, Dynamo Kiev have won only once in six attempts at FC Barcelona. That victory came in November 1997, when club icon Andriy Shevchenko scored a hat-trick in a 4-0 win over the Catalans.
Does the away weakness continue under Lucescu?
Although FC Barcelona have stumbled in recent weeks, meanwhile, there is little argument in favour of an away win for Dynamo Kyiv on Wednesday night. After all, the capital club from Ukraine has lost three of its last four away games under the guidance of head coach Mircea Lucescu.
Moreover, Lucescu’s record against FC Barcelona as a coach is not good anyway. The 76-year-old has only won two games against the Catalans in ten competitive matches as an opposing coach, and there has also been one draw. Lucescu, on the other hand, has lost seven out of ten games against FC Barcelona.
On Wednesday evening, the Ukrainian guests will also have to lament the absence of their attacking players. With Kargbo, Kulach and Besedin, three strikers with starting potential are missing. In addition, central defender Popov, who had been the mainstay in the back line with Zabarnyi, will have to take a break due to injury.
Predicted line-up of Dynamo Kiev:
Bushchan; Tymchyk, Zabarnyi, Shabanov, Mykolenko; Shaparenko, Sydorchuk; Tsygankov, Bulyalskyi, De Pena; Garmash
Last matches played by Dynamo Kiev:
Barcelona – Dynamo Kiev Direct Comparison / H2H Balance
This is the 13th time the two clubs have met on the international stage. So far, FC Barcelona leads the direct comparison against the visitors from Kiev with a record of 8-1-3. Four of the eight victories have come in the last four matches against Dynamo Kiev. These include the first and second legs in the 2020/21 Champions League.
At home, FC Barcelona beat the Ukrainians by a narrow 2-1 score, but away from home, they won comfortably, scoring four goals in total. Now they will look to extend their winning streak this season, with Barca also looking to improve their home record (4-1-1) against Kiev.
Barcelona – Dynamo Kiev tip
Barcelona are out to make amends after their false start to the 2021/22 season and are targeting their first win in the top flight this week. After two defeats on the first two match days, head coach Ronald Koeman’s team is now in last place in Group E.
Nevertheless, there are still realistic chances of reaching the last 16 of the 2021/22 Champions League, at least based on the current standings. To do so, Barcelona are under pressure to win against Dynamo Kiev and have no further room to lose points. The return of numerous key players is particularly encouraging ahead of the upcoming home game.
The importance of returnees like Ansu Fati & Co. was already shown in the home match against Valencia FC last weekend. For the first time in a while, the offensive play harmonised well together again. Despite an early deficit, the FCB fought their way back into the game and took three well-deserved points in La Liga.
If they build on this, it is also obvious that Barca will master the home game against the Ukrainians. We expect an act of defiance from the Blaugrana and place our Barcelona vs Dynamo Kiev betting tip at “HT/FT: 1/1” with a stake of six units.
