Maccabi aims for a return to the main stage of the Europa League, where they previously secured 29th place. Dynamo, conversely, has struggled to find their footing on the international scene since last season, concluding their Europa League campaign in 34th position with a mere victory and a 5:18 goal difference.

Maccabi’s Resurgent Form

Following their exit from the Champions League, Maccabi successfully navigated the Europa League qualification rounds. The Israeli side confidently overcame Hamrun Spartans with scores of 2:1 and 3:1. Ido Shahar was particularly outstanding, netting a brace in their last encounter with the Maltese club. While the Israeli championship has yet to commence, the Tel Aviv team initiated their League Cup journey by triumphing over Hapoel Jerusalem (2:1).

Dynamo Kyiv’s Current State

Dynamo Kyiv approaches this match in a somewhat somber mood. The Ukrainian club suffered an ignominious defeat at the hands of Cypriot side Pafos (0:1, 0:2), failing to score any goals. However, in their domestic championship, the Kyiv team secured a comfortable 4:1 win against debutants Epicenter. Coach Shovkovskyi’s squad currently leads the Ukrainian league, having won three matches with an aggregate score of 10:2, although they have not yet faced formidable opponents.

European Ambitions: A Comparison

Both teams have had a strong start to their respective seasons, but Maccabi appears to be more resilient on the European stage. The Israelis were eliminated from the Champions League by the same Pafos team, yet they competed on even terms (1:1, 0:1). Dynamo, while dominant domestically, has struggled to pose a significant challenge in European cup competitions so far.