Champions League Qualifier Preview: Yerevan Phoenix Eager to Regain Their Offensive Touch, Minsk Dynamo Boasts High Unbeaten Rate Away from Home

On July 17 at 0:00, the second leg of the first round of the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League qualifiers will see Yerevan Phoenix host Minsk Dynamo. The first leg ended in a 0-0 draw, and this match will determine which team advances to the next round to face the winner between Ludogorets and Batumi Dynamo.

The 15,000-capacity Republican Stadium is expected to be packed as Yerevan Phoenix has announced that this match will be free for fans. However, to defeat their opponents and advance, Yerevan Phoenix needs to improve their performance on the pitch. In the neutral venue of the first leg, Yerevan Phoenix spent most of the time on defense, managing only six weak shots on goal, earning one corner, and having no offsides, indicating a severe lack of offensive threat.

Nonetheless, the goalless draw extended Yerevan Phoenix’s unbeaten run across all competitions to ten matches, the first time they have been shut out since losing 0-1 at home to Ararat in early April. Yerevan Phoenix hopes that the home atmosphere will help them clear the first hurdle, as they have a record of 14 wins, five draws, and one loss in their last 20 home games.

For the visiting side, Minsk Dynamo, last week’s 0-0 draw means the second leg will be a true test, as they must find a way to break down Yerevan Phoenix’s defense, which has kept a clean sheet for over 400 minutes. Minsk Dynamo had 15 shots in the first leg, but only five were on target, with few clear-cut chances. Scripcenco’s team’s seven-match winning streak came to an end after the game, but they still maintain an eleven-game unbeaten run, and away from home, Minsk Dynamo has not lost since early May.

Regardless, the past season and a half has been dreamlike for Minsk Dynamo, who reclaimed the Belarusian Premier League title after nineteen years. Advancing to the next round would provide a significant boost ahead of their title defense starting in early August.

In terms of personnel, Yerevan Phoenix will be without two forwards, Jurić and Dembélé, both recovering from knee surgery, while Brazilian winger Gonçalves is expected to return around late October. Newly signed forward Agdton started the first leg, and another new signing, Portuguese forward Paredes, may take his place in the starting lineup. Minsk Dynamo currently has two injured players: right-back Begunov and left midfielder Syedko. Forward Alfred, who joined from the Israeli league, came off the bench in the first leg and could start this match.

Yerevan Phoenix and Minsk Dynamo are closely matched in strength, and both teams are eager to make a breakthrough in the Champions League. The match is expected to be fiercely contested, with back-and-forth action likely to ensue.

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