Fenerbahce SK – FC Dynamo Kyiv match preview

Sükrü Saraçoglu, Istanbul
Tuesday 30 September 2008 – 20.45CET
Group G – Matchday 2

Fenerbahçe SK coach Luis Aragonés is banking on home comforts as his side attempt to preserve an imposing record at the Sükrü Saraçoglu Stadium against Group G rivals FC Dynamo Kyiv on Tuesday.

Enthusiastic support
The Istanbul giants have won their last eight UEFA Champions League games on home turf, staying unbeaten since visitors AC Milan claimed a 4-0 victory in November 2005. Aragonés credits the “massive support” from Fenerbahçe’s fervent fans for creating what has been billed as ‘Fortress Sükrü Saraçoglu’ – yet given his team have limped through the opening two months of their campaign they may need all the help they can get. Dynamo coach Yuri Semin was in attendance on Friday night when Fenerbahçe lost 2-1 at Sivasspor, their third defeat in three away matches in the Süper Lig. Add to that the 3-1 reverse at FC Porto on Matchday 1 and the outlook appears gloomy, but Fenerbahçe continue to be a different proposition in the Turkish capital – conceding just once in four wins from as many games in all competitions.

Elusive win
“I watched Fenerbahçe’s last match and have seen previous ones on tape. We have also been speaking with our former player Serhiy Rebrov who had a spell with Fenerbahçe, but it will be hard to surprise an experienced coach like Aragonés,” said Semin, who knows only too well the pitfalls of disappointing runs since his side have not triumphed in 14 UEFA Champions League outings. They came within two minutes of ending the sequence against Arsenal FC a fortnight ago, however, and Semin believes the time is ripe for a change. “I can’t speak about the past but my players are fully focused on this match,” continued the former Russia coach. “The players are aware of their quality and are desperate to end this bad run.”

Injury list
To that end the Sükrü Saraçoglu Stadium may not be the ideal hunting ground, although Dynamo approach the game on the back of a 3-0 triumph at FC Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih on Friday, achieved despite the absences of Artem Milevskiy (ankle) and Ayila Yussuf (calf). The pair are still sidelined, along with Oleh Gusev (knee) and Carlos Corrêa (broken leg), yet Aragonés has injury problems of his own with Semih ?entürk ruled out with the recurrence of an ankle complaint. Deivid has returned to full training but Spain striker Daniel Güiza is likely to carry much of the hosts’ attacking burden.

Strength and weaknesses
With Josico also missing training on Friday because of thigh trouble, Aragonés concedes that injuries are taking their toll – one of two major Fenerbahçe weaknesses he has identified together with the defence’s inability to cope with the long ball. That is not a tactic typically associated with their Matchday 2 opponents, however. “Dynamo are very good on the counterattack,” said the man who guided Spain to UEFA EURO 2008™ glory. “We need to adjust our tactics so we know where and when to do the pressing. I prefer not to focus on other teams though – it’s more important what your own side do.”

Alex calls for Fenerbahçe caution
When a side unbeaten in 14 home matches in UEFA club competition welcome a team seeking to end a run of 14 winless games in the UEFA Champions League, an obvious favourite emerges – not that captain Alex is taking anything for granted before Fenerbahçe SK’s Group G meeting with FC Dynamo Kyiv in Istanbul.

Impressive record
Luis Aragonés’s team made a disappointing start to their campaign at FC Porto a fortnight ago, quickly finding themselves two goals down and eventually losing 3-1. Yet at ‘Fortress Sükrü Saraçoglu’ they are a different proposition. Not since November 2005 have a side come away with anything more than a draw and in their last eight home games among Europe’s élite, Fenerbahçe’s visitors have taken home nothing. That record contrasts markedly with Dynamo Kyiv’s, although Alex is wary of complacency. “It will be a very challenging match,” warned the 31-year-old Brazilian international. “We started our Champions League campaign with a defeat so the importance of this fixture has increased. We want to make up for our loss to Porto.”

‘Difficult times’
Alex’s reservations are in part explained by Fenerbahçe’s poor start to the Süper Lig season, their 2-1 loss at Sivasspor on Friday night making it three defeats in three away games and leaving them languishing tenth in the table. “We have all been playing football for a long time so there is no negativity in our camp,” said Alex, who played all 90 minutes at the weekend after “totally recovering” from a calf strain. “I am sure we can get through these difficult times pretty quickly and though we lost the first match [against Porto] there are five more games to play and 15 points to be won. However, at this stage, we just want to take one game at a time.”

Volkan Babacan ready
Alex has added motivation as he is just two away from a century of goals for the club, while at the other end of his career at Fenerbahçe, keeper Volkan Babacan is poised to make his UEFA Champions League debut. The 20-year-old has shone in place of the suspended Volkan Demirel and could be retained against Dynamo. “It is up to the coach whether I play or not,” said Volkan Babacan. “I regard myself as experienced enough and know that every game in this competition is difficult. If we had won the first match against Porto it would be a lot easier though.” Not, perhaps, for the visitors.