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UEL | 15/9/11 | Dynamo Kyiv vs. Stoke City | Valeriy Lobanovskiy (19:00 CET)

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Més Que Un Club

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
UEFA Europa League Group Stage
FC Dynamo Kyiv vs. Stoke City FC

Image


Stoke's European adventure has been perfect so far with wins home and away against Hajduk Split and Thun in the qualifying rounds, but now they start their journey in the competition proper away to Dynamo Kyiv on a tough night in Ukraine.

It'll be a tough game in a country where most of the Stoke players are not used to playing in and could face difficulties against a very good Dynamo Kyiv side who is looking solid so far this season, unbeaten domestically. Stoke are unbeaten in 8 games so far.

Pulis is likely to make a few changes to the side so that he can have some fresh and ready players for Premiership football next weekend. This is one of the hardest groups in the Europa League with Maccabi Tel-Aviv and Besiktas also in it, so results will be hard to get for the English side but confidence is at a real high at the moment and could help the team in Europe.
 
#2 ·
Dynamo Kyiv is a tough team to play, they finished 2nd last year in the Ukrainian Premier League last year. I think Stoke have it in them to get a win here, but they'll need all the good saves they can get from Asmir Begovic, and Kenwyne Jones to continue being the top goalscorer of the team. It'd certainly be good for Stoke to get the full points away to Dynamo Kyiv, gving them momentum heading into a home game against Besiktas. I see good things in Stoke City's Europa League future. :smileani:
 
#3 ·
big factor will be whether Taras Myhaylak will be playing or not. He has been slowly nursed back to health, and is fit, just lacking actual match practice. Our best central defender.

This game will be very close I feel. 1 goal should decide it.
 
#4 ·

Sorensen
Wilkinson Upson Shawcross Wilson
Walters Whelan Whitehead Etherington
Jerome Jones

Bench: Begovic, Huth, Shotton, Delap, Palacios, Pennant & Crouch

i think this will be the team, i cant see stoke winning it hto.
​
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
I think Dynamo takes this, 2-0. They outclassed Manchester City on this ground last season and even though Stoke play a physical and different game opposed to many, I still don't think they can take any points here due to the different conditions of what they're used to and this game being played on an artificial surface.
 
#6 ·
Very difficult place to try and win! alot of champions league teams have struggle here in the past so cant imagine stoke to get anything from the game either! great to see them in the competition though!
 
Discussion starter · #7 ·
Yes, it is a fantastic achievement for a club like Stoke to even play in Europe considering all the competition there is in England for a spot in the CL/EL. It's what they deserve though, they've worked so hard in all competitions ever since getting promoted to the Premiership but to go through from this group is a tough task. It would be remarkable if they manage to get a top two placing when December comes around.

This is the toughest away game without doubt for Stoke in the group stages so it wouldn't be a total disappointment if they lost this one, but I believe they can compete well and cause Dynamo some problems.

Crouch, Delap, and Etherington are out for the game though, due to fitness worries and precautionary measures. Shame that they won't be there.

The lineup will probably look something like this -

Sorensen
Huth - Upson - Shawcross - Wilson
Palacios - Whitehead - Whelan
Pennant - Jones - Walters​
 
#8 ·
I appluad Stoke City just for getting this far, although it may seem like they had easy draws in the process getting here, but this is Europe; everyone you face in the latter qualifying rounds will be tough. Does anyone know why Sorenson will be starting ahead of Begovic? Anyways, Stoke usually win by a goal (at least so far in the EPL). I'm not sure they can be comfortable with a one goal lead against Dynamo Kyiv, because Begovic won't be there to come up with a big save (yes, I know Sorensen is experienced but he's not the number one for a reason). Should be a good match-up for fans who love defense, both teams have been fairly low-scoring in Europa qualifying. So, my final prediction:

Stoke City 0-1 Dynam Kyiv

I see a good back and forht match, neither team giving in until Dynamo finally break up the deadlock somewhere late in the second half. I hope Stoke can surpass their first challenge in this group, as there are many more to come.

Good luck to Stoke City in their match tomorrow. :smileani:
 
Discussion starter · #9 ·
Sorensen started all of Stoke's games in their FA Cup journey last season and Pulis is going to go with him for the Europa League matches as well. He has two solid goalkeepers at his disposal, why wouldn't he give them both a fair amount of starts? He's doing a fine job handling on who starts when.
 
#13 ·
:howler: I guess no one was at home so no one could post here.

Anyways, really unlucky for Stoke, but a point away isn't something they should be hanging their heads about. Also, Sorenson played sectcular today, if it weren't for him, Stoke would be coming out with no points at all. So, here are some highlights and all of the goals:

[tub]n0MM_LJWpSc[/tub]
 
Discussion starter · #14 ·
I'm never at home for Europa League matches, hard to discuss it live.

Fantastic result though, bit of a shame that they conceded in the last minute though. Proves that Stoke are better than Manchester City though. Lol jk :D

Nine game unbeaten run, really spirited start from Stoke this season. :thumbsup:
 
#15 ·
I thought Sorro was mediocre at best, before the goal the only real genuine chance they had was due to his poor parry. Which is a part of his game that has always worried me. But we played well defensively and restricted them to mainly long range efforts. Great effort and a very good performance. Always horrible to concede late but we came for the point and got it. Very impressed with the two new boys as well. Palacios needs to get fitter but that will come.
 
Discussion starter · #17 ·
Pulis really wants the fans to get behind Stoke for the home games in this group and roar them on to more success in the Europa League. I, for one, believe if Stoke can beat Besiktas at home next, they have an excellent change of progressing.

The formation was 5-3-2 by the way for this match, and not a 4-3-3 like I suggested it might be.
 
#18 ·
Yeah it was strange for us (we rarely deviate from a 4-4-1-1) but it worked. Wilko on the left wing when we had the ball was more like a left winger which for a right footed right back must have been hard for him to do but he played well.

As for the home games they will be the key, got my tickets for all three and can't wait!
 
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