MB Tel-Aviv vs Dinamo Kyiv: Resumen

Maccabi Tel Aviv delivered a commanding performance in their UEFA Europa League play-off first leg against Dynamo Kyiv, securing a 3-1 victory at the neutral venue of Gradski Stadion in Backa Topola, Serbia. The Israeli champions demonstrated clinical finishing and tactical superiority, particularly after Kyiv were reduced to ten men early in the second half.

On a warm August evening, with the stands filled with both Israeli and Ukrainian supporters who had made the journey to Serbia, the atmosphere was electric despite the match being played away from both teams' home countries due to ongoing geopolitical situations. Maccabi's captain Dor Peretz emerged as the hero of the night, netting twice (12', 69') while Sagiv Jehezkel added another (58') to give the Israeli side a significant advantage heading into the second leg.

Dynamo's Nazar Voloshyn provided a glimmer of hope with his 32nd-minute equalizer, but the dismissal of Kostiantyn Vivcharenko in the 50th minute proved decisive, allowing Maccabi to capitalize on their numerical advantage. The result puts Žarko Lazetić's men in a strong position to advance to the Europa League group stage, while Oleksandr Shovkovskyi's Kyiv face an uphill battle in the return fixture.

Both clubs entered this qualification phase after being eliminated from Champions League qualifying by Pafos, making this Europa League campaign crucial for their European aspirations this season. For Maccabi Tel Aviv, this result represents a significant step toward returning to European group stage football, while Dynamo Kyiv will need to produce a remarkable comeback in the second leg scheduled for August 28.

"This was exactly the performance we needed at this stage of the competition. The team showed great character, especially after Kyiv equalized. Peretz was exceptional tonight, but this was truly a collective effort. We know the job is only half done," remarked Žarko Lazetić, Maccabi Tel Aviv's coach after the match.

"The red card changed everything. Until that moment, we were very much in the game. Now we face a difficult challenge in the second leg, but playing at home with our supporters behind us, we still believe we can turn this around," said Oleksandr Shovkovskyi, Dynamo Kyiv's coach.

"Scoring twice is always special, but what matters most is taking this advantage into the second leg. We executed our game plan perfectly after they went down to ten men," stated Dor Peretz, Maccabi's captain and two-goal hero.

"We're disappointed with the result but not with our effort. The sending off was a turning point, but we'll fight until the end in Kyiv. A 2-0 win at home would see us through, and we've overcome bigger challenges before," reflected Andrii Yarmolenko, Dynamo's experienced winger.

"Maccabi showed excellent game management after Kyiv's red card. The Israeli champions were clinical in front of goal and now have one foot in the group stage. Dynamo will need something special in the return leg," analyzed former European coach Michel Platini who was in attendance at the match.

Ball Possession: Maccabi Tel Aviv 54% - 46% Dynamo Kyiv

Shots (On Target): Maccabi Tel Aviv 14 (7) - Dynamo Kyiv 9 (4)

Corners: Maccabi Tel Aviv 6 - Dynamo Kyiv 4

Cards: Maccabi Tel Aviv 2 yellow - Dynamo Kyiv 3 yellow, 1 red

Key Player Statistics:

Dor Peretz (Maccabi Tel Aviv): 2 goals, 91% pass completion, 3 key passes Sagiv Jehezkel (Maccabi Tel Aviv): 1 goal, 2 shots on target, 4 successful dribbles Nazar Voloshyn (Dynamo Kyiv): 1 goal, 2 shots, 86% pass completion Andrii Yarmolenko (Dynamo Kyiv): 1 assist, 3 key passes, 5 crosses

The statistical breakdown shows how the red card significantly impacted the game. Before Vivcharenko's dismissal at the 50-minute mark, possession was much more balanced at 49%-51% in Dynamo's favor. After going down to ten men, Kyiv managed just one shot on target in the entire second half while Maccabi created numerous opportunities, ultimately converting two of them to secure their two-goal advantage.

12' GOAL! Maccabi Tel Aviv 1-0 Dynamo Kyiv. Captain Dor Peretz breaks the deadlock with a well-placed header from Osher Davida's pinpoint cross, giving the Israeli side an early advantage.

32' GOAL! Maccabi Tel Aviv 1-1 Dynamo Kyiv. Nazar Voloshyn equalizes for the Ukrainian side with a powerful strike from the edge of the box after receiving a clever cutback from Yarmolenko. The teams are level again.

50' RED CARD! Kostiantyn Vivcharenko receives his marching orders after a second yellow card for a reckless tackle on Heitor. Dynamo Kyiv are reduced to ten men, forcing coach Shovkovskyi to reorganize his team defensively.

58' GOAL! Maccabi Tel Aviv 2-1 Dynamo Kyiv. Sagiv Jehezkel capitalizes on the numerical advantage, finding space behind Kyiv's stretched defense to slot home coolly past Neshcheret.

62' TACTICAL CHANGE: Dynamo Kyiv switches to a 4-4-1 formation, sacrificing Voloshyn for an additional defender to try to limit the damage.

69' GOAL! Maccabi Tel Aviv 3-1 Dynamo Kyiv. Dor Peretz grabs his second of the night, finishing off a slick team move with a first-time finish from 12 yards out. Maccabi now in firm control.

78' MISSED OPPORTUNITY: Yarmolenko nearly pulls one back for Kyiv with a curling free-kick that strikes the crossbar, a moment that could prove crucial for the tie's outcome.

This encounter marks a rare meeting between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Dynamo Kyiv in European competition, with the clubs having faced each other only twice previously in official matches. Their last encounter came in the 2015-16 Champions League group stage, where Dynamo Kyiv secured a 2-0 victory at home and a 0-0 draw in the away fixture played on neutral ground.

Historically, Ukrainian clubs have generally had the upper hand against Israeli opposition in European competitions, with Dynamo having won three and drawn one of their previous five matches against Israeli teams before this defeat.

The key individual battle on the pitch was between Maccabi's captain Dor Peretz and Dynamo's midfield orchestrator Mykola Shaparenko. Peretz clearly won this duel, not only scoring twice but also disrupting Shaparenko's influence on the game, particularly after Kyiv were reduced to ten men.

Another fascinating contest developed between Andrii Yarmolenko and Maccabi's left-back Mohamed Aly Camara. While Yarmolenko provided the assist for Kyiv's goal and looked dangerous throughout, Camara grew into the game and eventually limited the Ukrainian winger's effectiveness in the second half.

This result represents Maccabi's first-ever victory against Dynamo Kyiv, potentially signaling a shift in the balance of power between these teams from different European football traditions. However, with the second leg still to come in Ukraine, this Europa League qualification tie remains far from decided.

As this match represents the first leg of the UEFA Europa League play-off round, there isn't a traditional league table to refer to. However, in terms of qualification positioning:

Maccabi Tel Aviv now has a significant advantage with their 3-1 victory in the first leg. With this two-goal cushion, they are favorites to advance to the Europa League group stage. The Israeli champions entered this qualification phase after finishing 1st in the Israeli Premier League last season and subsequently being eliminated from Champions League qualifying.

Dynamo Kyiv faces an uphill battle, needing to win by at least two clear goals in the return leg to force extra time, or by three goals to advance outright. The Ukrainian side, who finished as runners-up in their domestic league last season, must now produce a comeback at home to keep their Europa League hopes alive.

The winner of this tie will advance to the Europa League group stage, securing at least six more European matches this season, while the loser will drop down to the Conference League. For both clubs, qualification represents not only sporting prestige but also significant financial benefits, with Europa League group stage participation worth approximately €3.63 million in base payment, plus additional performance and market pool bonuses.