"Dnipro's" opponent – "Maccabi" from Haifa – won the title of Israeli champion last season, but this in no way prevented the Ukrainian team from outplaying this team in both matches. And if in the first meeting "Dnipro" lost, although it had the advantage but failed to convert a number of chances to score, then two weeks later the Dnipropetrovsk side fully made up for it against "Maccabi".
Practically throughout the entire match against "Maccabi", the hosts had absolute territorial advantage and outperformed their opponent in creating dangerous chances. During the entire first half, the team from Israel only once hit the target, and even that shot proved too easy for Kernozenko.
Already in the fifth minute, Venhlynsky could have gone one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but held onto the ball a bit too long, and it was immediately taken away from him. In the 16th minute, the "Dnipro" forward burst into "Maccabi's" penalty area down the left flank, but was fouled by Benado, although the referee did not see a rules violation in that moment. In the next attack, Nazarenko could have put his team ahead, but his shot went just wide of the post.
The Dnipropetrovsk side opened the scoring from a set piece. From about 30 meters out, Mykhaylenko decided to shoot a free kick, and the ball, after deflecting about a meter in front of goalkeeper Davydovych, flew into "Maccabi's" goal – 1:0. A goalkeeping error that the players from the Promised Land will have to deal with.
Four minutes before the end of the first half, the Dnipropetrovsk side had another chance to increase the score. Nazarenko aimed a free kick into the corner of the goal, but the goalkeeper failed to secure the ball, and Venhlynsky was first to the rebound, striking from a tight angle, but in that moment Davydovych managed to make amends, averting the danger from his goal.
The start of the second part of the game, or rather its first ten minutes or so – is the only stretch in the match where the visitors had the advantage. Moreover, Badir should have scored twice. First, the "Maccabi" player nearly connected with Bokkol's cross, and two minutes later only Kernozenko's timely dive at Badir's feet saved "Dnipro" from a conceded goal. At that point, the celebration on the Israeli street ended before it had truly begun.
"Dnipro" increased its advantage with every minute of play, and dangerous chances arose one after another near "Maccabi's" goal. Rykun, Venhlynsky and Mykhaylenko delivered treacherous shots.
However, in the 77th minute, the visitors failed to avoid a knockout blow. From the left flank, Nazarenko delivered a corner and Rusol, getting ahead of his marker with a header into the corner of the goal, drives the final nail into the coffin of Israeli "Maccabi", burying all hopes of the visitors advancing to the group stage of the UEFA Cup. In the remaining time, the Dnipropetrovsk side had no trouble holding the score, and fully deservedly continue their campaign in the second most prestigious European club tournament.
UEFA Cup. First round. Return match.
"Dnipro" (Ukraine) - "Maccabi" Haifa (Israel) - 2:0 Goals: Mykhaylenko 34, Rusol 77. First match: 0:1. "Dnipro": 22. Kernozenko, 5. Yezersky, 6. Shelayev, 8. Maksymyuk (Semochko 57 - Radchenko 78), 10. Kostyshyn, 11. Venhlynsky, 15. Matyukhin, 16. Rusol, 19. Mykhaylenko, 20. Rykun, 28. Nazarenko (Hrytsay 85). "Maccabi": Davydovych, 4. Benado, 5. Badir (Zandberg 80), 6. Goncalves, 7. Bokkoli, 9. Colautti, 10. Tal, 15. Francisco, 18. Magrashvili, 20. Katan, 27. Uzan.