Manchester City: Citizens will face Dynamo Kyiv in Champions League
By Larry Henry
Following winning their group in the UEFA Champions League, Manchester City were drawn to face Ukranian-side Dynamo Kyiv in the Round of 16 at the start of 2016.
Manuel Pellegrini‘s side won the group on the final match-day after defeating Germany’s Borussia Monchengladbach 4-2 at the Etihad Stadium.
Dynamo Kyiv managed by former-Tottenham striker Sergei Rebrov, are one of the best, if not the best team in Ukraine. Andriy Yarmolenko is the star player for Kyiv, scoring 13 goals and adding eight assists in 22 matches in all competitions.
The first leg will take place on February 24th in Kyiv, and the second leg will take place on March 15th in Manchester. The first leg of the match-up, will be Kyiv’s first action after an 11 week absence due to their season ending in Ukraine.
In their first match-up between these teams in the Round of 16, the game in Kyiv at the NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium may be played behind closed doors due to a ban placed on the Ukraine team.
According to the Daily Mail, Manchester City fans have urged UEFA to uphold the ban due to similar events that occurred against City’s group-stage opponent CSKA Moscow in 2014. A game in Moscow was supposed to be played behind closed doors, until home fans found their way into the Khimki Arena.
City will look to be at their best in February and March, as this will be the crucial part of their Barclays Premier League season as well. If Manchester City can defeat Kyiv in both legs, than they will advance farther in this tournament then ever before.
If their lineup is fit and injury free, Manuel Pellegrini’s side should have no problem making it into the next round of the Champions League.