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After defeating Lokomotiva Zagreb, SK Rapid can face three different rivals in the third qualifying round of the Champions League: the next rival for the green-whites will be Benfica Lisboa, Dynamo Kiev or KAA Gent. We look at the form of the three teams.
Benfica second in league and cup last season
The strongest of the three possible opponents is definitely Portuguese runner-up Benfica Lisbon. Last season, the capitals finished five points behind FC Porto in second place in the NOS league. Benfica’s last competitive match was the cup final on August 1, which also lost 2-1 to Porto. In the Europa League, the team was eliminated in the round of 32 against Shakhtar Donetsk.
The Portuguese are arming themselves a lot
No known outings at Benfica have yet been reported: only a few supplementary players left the club. The Portuguese brought to Éverton, Pedrinho and Gilberto three players from the Brazilian league, which cost a total of 40 million euros. In addition, experienced central defender Jan Vertonghen and Freiburg forward Luca Waldschmidt join the “Eagles“.
Stars in all parts of the team
The existing squad is also impressive: standout players include central defender Rúben Dias, newly injured left-back Alex Grimaldo, German six Julian Weigl, attacking midfielders Pizzi and Rafa Silva, as well as center forward Carlos Vinícius and Haris Seferovic. The latter was also the most accurate in previous friendly matches: the Swiss scored a total of three goals in the 4-0 win over Belenenses and in the 5-1 win over SC Farense.
Ukraine’s old friend
Dynamo Kiev would be a rival Rapid has faced several times in the club’s long history. Before participating in the Champions League in 1996, the Ukrainians were eliminated in the playoff. The last meeting was in 2013, when they were in the group stage of the Europa League, where they scored 2-2 at home and lost 3-1 away.
Young way with an aging coach legend
Kiev, which is cared for by Shakhtar coach legend Mircea Lucescu, who caused some difficulties in both the capital and Donetsk, is now back in the league. In the first round there was a confident 4-1 away win at Olimpik Donetsk. Nine Ukrainians were noted to be on the starting grid. The big stars of the team are currently missing, it is more young Ukrainians who stand out. For example, winger Viktor Tsygankov (22) or left-back Vitaliy Mykolenko, who has already attracted the interest of SSC Napoli.
Prestigious success against the eternal competitor Shakhtar
Nine Dynamo players are injured or penalized (for doping). The Ukrainian runners-up haven’t had any major team moves so far, even though last season with just 59 points from 32 games was anything but desired. You trust the young path and the old Lucescu coach. The successes of the first stage have already been achieved, for example the Super Cup final against Shakhtar Donetsk last Tuesday. Kiev prevailed 3-1 as the weakest team, although Shakhtar had to fight with symptoms of exhaustion due to the long stay in the Europa League.
Gent no points lasts after three rounds
The “most likely” opponent is the Belgian runner-up, KAA Gent. Like Dynamo Kiev, Ghent was clearly second, ultimately 15 points behind champion Bruges, and scored 55 points in the aborted Belgian championship, which this time comprised only 29 games. In the new season – three days have been completed – KAA Gent is last without points, which has its reasons.
New coach, but suddenly not a star anymore
Just a week ago, 67-year-old Romanian manager László Bölöni took over, replacing former FC Tirol striker Jess Thorup. The most painful departure affects the team’s star player: 20-year-old Canadian international Jonathan David moved to Lille OSC for a whopping € 32 million and has so far left a huge void in Gent’s offense. Last season David scored 23 goals and 10 assists in 40 competitive matches and was also the Belgian top scorer.
Frame settings in width
Ghent bought a wide range of purchases with the bulky cash register. Among other things, Sinan Bolat, an experienced goalkeeper, came with Anderlecht veteran Sven Kums, defensive midfield strategist, Heidenheim’s two best players, Tim Kleindienst and Niklas Dorsch, and Angolan left-back Núrio Fortuna from Charleroi, who paid six million euros. it was the most expensive new addition ever. In total, Ghent spent almost 15 million euros on new players.
Three league losses in a row
However, the planning of the squad will not have reached the end because what has been shown so far does not bode well for the new season. More recently there was a 1-0 defeat at Royal Antwerp, before they lost 2-1 at home to Kortrijk and away with the same result against VV St. Truiden. The really strong opponents are coming and the series against smaller clubs will continue for the time being. The first real slice is the KRC Genk on matchday 10 at the end of October.
Will you see Kvilitaia and Niangbo again?
There are also former Bundesliga players in the Belgian squad: ex-Rapidler Giorgi Kvilitaia, who moved to Gent two years ago for three million euros, has yet to play this year. Former Wolfsberg forward Anderson Niangbo even cost the Belgians four million six months ago, who went to Red Bull Salzburg. The Ivorian has been used so far in all three games, he has been substituted twice once and once. Most recently, Gent played three times in a row in a more defensive 4-4-2 system.
Another decision in a game
Against NK Lokomotiva Zagreb, the decision against the next opponent will be made in a single game. Home law will be drawn as last time. The draw will take place next Monday. KAA Gent will face KV Mechelen at home on Sunday, Dynamo Kiev will play at home against Desna on Saturday.
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