Juan Carlos Carcedo shared his thoughts about the upcoming Champions League qualifier against "Dynamo Kyiv". The Paphos head coach doesn't underestimate their Ukrainian opponents ahead of tomorrow's crucial first leg.
"We're facing a top-level opponent with rich experience in European tournaments. Dynamo Kyiv is a very strong and well-prepared team, aggressive in their tactics and united around a solid core of players," – Carcedo stated.
The Spanish specialist emphasized that his team needs to maintain defensive discipline while still trying to control the game when possible. Not an easy task against such an experienced European side.
Carcedo also commented on the recent high-profile addition to his squad. David Luiz, the former Chelsea and Arsenal defender, has joined the Cypriot club in what's surely one of the most notable transfers in Paphos history.
"David Luiz is a big name in world football, and we're happy to have him in our team. His experience and leadership qualities are a valuable acquisition for the team," – the coach explained.
Interestingly, while victory remains the primary objective for Paphos, Carcedo appears to have a pragmatic approach to the first leg. He emphasized that keeping a clean sheet would be "extremely important" to establish a strong position before the return match.
The first match between "Dynamo Kyiv" and "Paphos" takes place tomorrow, August 5, at 21:00. Can the Cypriot underdogs surprise the Ukrainian giants? We'll soon find out.
