Champions League Preview: Ludogorets Aims to Strike First at Home, Dinamo Minsk Seeks to Write New Team History

On July 25 at 2:00 AM, the first leg of the second round of the 2024/25 Champions League qualifiers will see Bulgarian powerhouse Ludogorets host Belarusian giants Dinamo Minsk. In the first round of qualifiers, Ludogorets eliminated Georgian strong side Dinamo Batumi with a 3-2 aggregate score over two legs. Meanwhile, Dinamo Minsk narrowly defeated Pyunik Yerevan by an aggregate score of 1-0.

Ludogorets is the reigning league champion. The new season of the Bulgarian A PFG has just begun, and Ludogorets started off with a 1-0 victory over CSKA Sofia. In Champions League history, Ludogorets is no stranger, although they have often fallen in the qualifying stages, they have made their mark in the group stage on two occasions. During the 2014/15 season, despite finishing fourth in their group, they managed a 2-2 draw against Liverpool. In the 2016/17 season, they finished third in their group but achieved a 2-2 draw against Paris Saint-Germain during the group stage. Despite being considered underdogs, they are not easy targets for stronger teams. Last season, Ludogorets was knocked out in the second round of Champions League qualifying.

Dinamo Minsk has experienced resurgence in recent seasons. Last season, they became champions of the Belarusian Premier League for the first time in 19 years. This season, Dinamo Minsk has continued their strong momentum from last season. After 15 rounds, they remain undefeated with 10 wins and 5 draws, currently topping the league table. However, this team has never had the opportunity to compete in the Champions League proper. Their closest attempt was during the 1993/94 season, where they were eliminated in the first round by Werder Bremen with a 6-3 aggregate score over two legs.

Ludogorets is characterized by a balanced attack and defense. Of course, when facing teams significantly stronger than themselves, the Bulgarian team’s balance must be taken with a grain of salt. Last season, they scored 78 goals and conceded only 15 in the league, making them a formidable presence on both ends of the pitch. In their two Champions League group stage appearances, Ludogorets demonstrated tenacious defensive resilience, with their players cherishing these rare opportunities to compete at the highest level of European football.

Similarly, Dinamo Minsk also dominates in their domestic league. However, in European competitions, they struggle. Often, their attacking capabilities diminish, and they rely on a stubborn defensive performance to hold off opponents. Their match against Pyunik Yerevan was a case in point. They only advanced after securing a penalty in the dying moments of the game. Throughout the match, Dinamo Minsk managed just one shot on target. Had their opponent been more potent offensively, Dinamo Minsk might have been eliminated in the first round.

The two teams have never faced each other before. This is a genuine clash of unfamiliar foes, with neither side knowing much about the other. Dinamo Minsk may possess a slightly greater element of mystery, as they have rarely competed in major tournaments.

Before the start of the new season, Ludogorets made significant acquisitions, spending over €4 million in the transfer market. They brought in defender Kiril Kurtulus from Hammarby and attacker Kamará from Olympiacos. These signings undoubtedly bolstered the team’s overall strength. Dinamo Minsk, on the other hand, maintained a zero-spending policy and continued to recruit free agents. Players like Bahar from Arsenal Tula and Alfred from Hapoel Herzliya joined the squad. However, in terms of player reputation and overall quality, they cannot compare to Ludogorets.

Ludogorets hopes to return to the Champions League group stage after many years, while Dinamo Minsk aims to write a new chapter in their European competition history. Who will come out on top? We’ll have to wait and see.

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