Group E: Dynamo Kiev vs AZ Preview

Posted Thursday, November 04, 2010 by ESPN

Dynamo Kiev would settle for the slenderest of victories as they look to qualify for the last 32 of the Europa League.

Sunday's 9-0 win over over Illichevets Mariupol was a record winning margin in the Ukrainian Premier League and the perfect preparation for a key European date with Dutch outfit AZ Alkmaar.

The sides are separated by just one point in Group E, with Dynamo's crucial 2-1 win over AZ last time out lifting them into second place behind group leaders BATE Borisov.

Bottom side FC Sheriff are also just a point off Dynamo in a congested group, and any slip at this stage could prove decisive in the final shake-up.

Dynamo's caretaker coach Oleg Luzhny, who replaced Valeri Gazzaev after he stood down following the 2-0 defeat at Sheriff on October 1, has presided over a good run of form that has brought three straight wins in the Ukrainian top flight.

And the former Arsenal full-back is in confident mood ahead of tomorrow night's game at the Valeriy Lobanovskiy Stadium, saying: "We expect only victory.

"The first game in Alkmaar was for us very demanding. We had no margin for error, we had to win. The guys, of course, were a little worried, but most importantly we got the result."

Winning the away fixture in Alkmaar marks out Dynamo as clear favourites on home turf, but Luzhny still believes AZ could have a say in the final outcome.

"From our three rivals in the group, AZ looks stronger than the others," he admitted.

The Dynamo coach has an injury concern over Brazilian striker Guilherme, who picked up a problem in training yesterday. Captain Andriy Shevchenko came through the session without trouble after a spell on the sidelines, although the veteran striker is unlikely to manage the full 90 minutes tomorrow.

Visitors AZ will need to reverse an alarming slump of form on their European travels if they are to pick up three vital points tomorrow night.

Gertjan Verbeek's men have lost their last three European games and are without a win away from home in UEFA competition for eight matches, dating back to September 2007.

Life in the Eredivisie is much more pleasurable, however, with a 2-1 win over Feyenoord at the weekend AZ's sixth victory in seven games.