Group E
Steaua Bucharest and Dynamo Kyiv may are both out of Champions League contention but there is still a Ueaf Cup place up for grabs in their Group E encounter.
After winning their opening game In Kyiv 4-1 three defeats on the trot ended Steaua’s hopes, but if they can avoid defeat tonight, they will book a berth in the Ueaf Cup.
“We cannot speak about a crisis. We can only speak about a lack of consistency,” said coach Cosmin Olaroiu. “We have put in some good performances when we didn’t win, and have been less good at times too, but the Champions League is something else. There is a totally different mentality, a totally different motivation.
“It is imperative to show more personality and courage than against Lyon and Real Madrid. We were too frightened, too nervous and we made too many mistakes.”
Olaroiu is without defender Mihai Nesu and striker Victoras Iacob through injury, but could use captain Mirel Radoi who has been out for five months following knee surgery.
Dynamo coach Anatoli Demianenko is looking for revenge following the ignominious home defeat tgey suffered on Matchday One.
“It will be a very difficult match against very strong opponents,” he said.
“Obviously we will play to win and to take revenge following the 4-1 in Kiev. Both are imperative if we are to have a chance of qualifying for the UEFA Cup.”
“A 4-0 win in this game is not necessary. Why should it be? We can still beat Real Madrid. We want to show our quality and if we can do this, we will win. We just have to give our best, and we have to avoid the mistakes we made against Steaua in Kiev when we were severely punished.”
Will be without Serhiy Rebrov and Taras Mykhalik for tonight’s match.
Probable teams
Steaua:
Cornel Cernea; Stelian Stancu, Dorin Goian, Sorin Ghionea, Petre Marin; Banel Nicolita, Sorin Paraschiv, Florin Lovin/Mirel Radoi, Vasilica Cristocea; Valentin Badea, Nicolae Dica.
Dynamo:
Olexandr Shovkovskiy; Oleh Gusev, Rodolfo, Rodrigo, Andriy Nesmachniy; Ayila Yussuf, Valentin Belkevich/Taras Mikhalik, Florin Cernat, Diogo Rincón; Artem Milevskiy, Kleber.
