Dmytro Chygrynskiy knows Tuesday’s Champions League opponents only too well. The centre back has faced Dynamo Kiev on many occasions, and is convinced that “Barça are a better side”.
Chygrynskiy will be watching from the sidelines because he has already played qualifying matches
for Shakhtar Donetsk and is therefore cup-tied out of Champions league matches. But he
wouldn’t have been able to play on Tuesday anyway because he has damaged ligaments in his
left leg, and will be out of action for three weeks. But the Ukrainian knows all about Dynamo Kiev,
having faced them many a time. Speaking to fcbarcelona.cat, Chygrynskiy said he has no doubt that
the Catalans will beat the side managed by Valery Gazzaev.
“They’re physically strong”
Dynamo Kiev are top of the group after beating Rubin Kazan on the first
day, and are also two points clear of Chygrynskiy’s former side in the domestic championship.
“They are a very strong team”, he said. “You have to remember they are Ukrainian
champions. Dynamo play by putting pressure on opponents, they don’t leave spaces. They are
physically strong and very good on the counter attack”.
Definite home win
But despite his admiration for his fellow countrymen, Chygrynskiy is convinced that Barça
“is a better side than Dynamo. In fact, we’re the best team in the world and I am
convinced we’ll win”. He also knows that Guardiola and his team take every rival very
seriously. “I am sure they’ll study Dynamo’s strong points and how we can beat
them. We’ll win” he concluded.
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Reencounter with Kravchenko
Serhiy Kravchenko is a midfielder at Dynamo Kiev, but previously he spent two season’s on
Shakhtar’s books, playing alongside Chygrynskiy in Donetsk. He has played three league games
so far this season, and scored one goal.