PAOK – Dynamo Kyiv

PAOK should not face any difficulties in the return leg against Dynamo Kyiv.

Dynamo Kyiv was the flagship of Ukrainian football and the keeper of the club's great history dating back to the Soviet era. The socio-political situation in the country did not allow Kyiv to maintain the accustomed level and to continue their annual appearances in the main rounds of the Champions League. Now the team's participation at the main stage of a continental tournament can be considered a success. Earlier, players from many countries of the 'second' football world sought to join the ranks of the 'blue-and-blues'; now rare footballers from Suriname, Panama, Poland, and Senegal come to play there. The club's results are also declining, as homegrown players strive to leave the war-torn country. PAOK is much more prosperous in every sense. In 2024 the Thessaloniki-based side became Greece's champions, and in the past season finished third, two points behind Olympiakos, which earned the right to compete in the Champions League qualifiers. Here local players are effectively blended with far higher-quality foreign players than in the Ukrainian team. In the five previous editions of European competitions, PAOK reached the playoffs four times: twice to the Conference League quarterfinals and twice to the Round of 16 in the Europa League. Bookmakers have made the home side favorites for the upcoming match, offering odds of 1.73 on their victory. The first leg between the opponents took place in Lublin because matches could not be held on Ukrainian territory. Although the stadium had just over three thousand spectators, who were cheering for Dynamo, the Kyiv side could not capitalize on the nominal home-field advantage. The match turned out to be very high-scoring. Already in the fourth minute Vladimir Brazhko opened the scoring, but by the 51st minute the Dynamo players were trailing 1-3. By the end of the match Dynamo Kyiv managed only to narrow the margin, with Justin Lonwijk scoring his first goal for the club. A defeat even by one goal does not bode well for the Ukrainian team ahead of the meeting in Greece. PAOK in the decisive matches of the past season was practically invincible on their home turf. In the last two official meetings at Toumba the team drew with the champion AEK and beat finishing second Olympiakos. Most likely PAOK will achieve a repeat victory.