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Dyanmo Kyiv are definitely a difficult opponent for Fiorentina to face in the Europa League quarterfinals, but considering there were only 7 teams to choose from, and that list included Napoli, Wolfsburg, Zenit St. Petersburg, and the holders Sevilla, the Fiorentina faithful might be forgiven for considering this a slightly easier draw, especially after two rather difficult ties against Tottenham Hotspur and AS Roma.
Fiorentina are also fortunate to play the return leg at home. Dynamo Kyiv lead their domestic league and are hoping for their first Ukrainian championship since 2008-2009, and in doing so have been outstanding at the NSC Olimpiyskiy, where they haven't lost a competitive match since Shakthar Donetsk was able to beat them… last April. They are a perfect 5-0-0 in this year's Europa League at home, where they have scored 15 goals and allowed 4. It will be curious to see what will snap first, Dynamo's perfect run at home or Fiorentina's 9 game unbeaten run on the road in Europe.
Dynamo Kyiv advanced to this point by finishing top of their group, narrowly advancing on away goals against former Viola group member Guingamp, and then blowing by Everton in an emphatic home win. Dyanmo head coach Serhiy Rebrov - an ex-Dynamo player and Ukrainian national team staple - is a young coach so far enjoying great success in his first managerial job. On the draw, he acknowledged Fiorentina is a tough draw, but also said "After beating Everton, I don't know how I could have 'selected' the next opponent… We have a 50% chance of going through. If we play like we did against Everton, then nothing is impossible, it's up to us."
One final thing of interest on this draw: this is a rematch of the Round of 16 tie in the 1989/90 edition of this competition (then the Coppa UEFA), where Fiorentina reached the final only to lose to Juventus. Roberto Baggio scored the only goal in the two legs from the penalty spot, which you should totally watch right here.