Guide to Champions League 2007/08! Dynamo Kiev

DYNAMO KIEV
Ukraine champion
Champions League pedigree: Semi-finalists: 1998/-99, quarter-finalists: 1997/98

THE LOWDOWN:
For a team with such a glorious past in continental competitions - notably Cup-Winners' Cup victories in 1975 and 1986 and outstanding performances in the Champions League in the late 1990s - last season in Europe's showcase cup was nothing less than an unmitigated disaster. Dynamo failed to register a single victory in group phase matches against Real Madrid, Lyon and Steaua Bucharest and all that after they lost out to little FC Thun from Switzerland in the qualifying round for the 2005/06 competition.

In marked contrast, Dynamo prospered on the domestic front in 2006/07, reclaiming the Ukrainian League title from Shakhtar Donetsk and then beating their chief rivals in the Cup Final. However, Dynamo are currently struggling to maintain their dominance, making their worst start to a league campaign, with just one win, three draws and a defeat in their opening five games.

THE TECHNICAL AREA:
A fine attacking left-back for Dynamo and the USSR, Anatoliy Demyanenko enjoyed limitless success in his playing career. He earned 80 full caps for the Soviets, appeared at three World Cup finals (1982, 1986, 1990) and helped Kyiv to five domestic league titles and the 1986 European Cup-winners' Cup, when they thrashed Atletico Madrid in the Final in Lyon. On retiring from the game, he joined the Dynamo coaching staff and was promoted to the top job in 2005.

Tactically, Demyanenko is much more conservative in Europe, going with a defensive quartet and a compact five-man midfield. Uzbekistan's Maxim Shatskikh, the Brazilian Kleber or new Guinean signing Ismail Bangoura will battle it out to lead the line.

THE WOW FACTOR:
As in the good old days, Dynamo are well organised, never lack for physical conditioning and are able to sustain a high tempo for 90 minutes. Technically they have few flaws and their passing and movement is impressive in the attacking-third. What lets them down is their profligacy up front.

The visionary approach play of the Brazilian midfield general Carlos Correa, who joined from Palmeiras of Sao Paulo a year ago in a £2.5million deal is also something to look out for, while on the right-side of midfield, Oleg Husiev is the a threat. Indefatigable, tricky and proven provider of chances, Husiev is a regular in the Ukraine national team.

THE BIG BUY:
Despite rumours that he was on his way to the Premier League or Germany, Senegalese central defender Pape Diakate eventually left Ligue 1 outfit Nancy for Dynamo, who paid a club record £4.5million for him.

Quick, tenacious and athletic, Diakate was one of the best defenders in the French League last term. A real weakness, though, is his temperament. He has a tendency to make wild challenges and not surprisingly was red-carded in his first outing for Kyiv.

THE TENDER SPOT:
Confidence is not exactly flowing through their ranks at the moment and with president Surkis demanding a vast improvement in Europe, everyone is understandably edgy. The possibility of nationality-led cliques is a potential headache.

Carelessness is a problem at the back as they have a history of switching off at dead-ball situations. Although left-back Andrii Nesmachhnyi is strong on the overlap, his defensive positioning can be rather approximate.

HOT GOSSIP:
Before announcing his decision to step down as Lyon coach, ex-Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier was contacted to take over at Dynamo. He was very tempted but finally turned down the offer, hoping to be installed as the French federation's new technical director. Some in France have claimed Houllier was put off by the idea of having a bodyguard in Kyiv, but he has vehemently denied this.

Current Kiev coach, Anatoliy Demyanenko, was given a vote of confidence by club president Ihor Surkis, but there can be no doubt that the former is under huge pressure to deliver at home and abroad.

IDEAL LINE UP:
Shovkovskyi, Nesmachnyi, Diakhate, Gavrancic, Markovic, Mikhalik, Husiev, Diogo Rincon, Michael, Correa, Shatskikh

THE VERDICT:
If they had succeeded in their bid to bring Kiev legend Andriy Shevchenko back on loan, they would have been given hope in the Champions League. Without him, they will bow out early.