DINAMO CITY, 90 MINUTES FROM HISTORY! IN CYPRUS . One game. One dream. One step away from history. Together until the end. 🔵⚪

One game. One dream. One step away from history.

Dinamo City will play one of the most important European matches in the club’s history on Thursday, August 27. The Albanian side will face Pafos FC in the second leg of the UEFA Conference League play-off round.

The match will be played at Limassol Stadium, known for sponsorship purposes as Alphamega Stadium. Kick-off is scheduled for 19:00 in Albania and 20:00 local time in Cyprus.

The first leg at Air Albania Stadium ended in a 1-1 draw, leaving everything open. The winner of the return match will secure a place in the Conference League phase, while the losing team’s European campaign will come to an end. UEFA

The biggest game of Dinamo’s season

For Dinamo City, this is much more than another European fixture. It is an opportunity to write a new chapter in the club’s history and return Dinamo’s name to a major continental stage.

Ilir Daja’s team have played seven matches in this season’s Conference League campaign, scoring 13 goals and conceding only five. According to UEFA statistics, the Blues have averaged 1.86 goals per match. Official Dinamo City statistics

Dinamo began their European journey by eliminating Astana before overcoming Aluminij 4-1 on aggregate. In the third qualifying round, the Albanian side overturned a 1-0 defeat against Auda by winning the return leg 4-0 and progressing 4-1 on aggregate.

Now only one final obstacle stands in their way: Pafos FC.

Daja: At this level, you must take your chances

Head coach Ilir Daja described the first leg as a balanced contest, although he admitted that his team did not produce its best performance during the opening half.

“The first match was evenly balanced, which was also reflected in the result. We were not at our best in the first half, but toward the end of that period and at the beginning of the second half, we had our chances.”

The Dinamo coach is aware that his players will face a more aggressive opponent in Cyprus, supported by the home crowd and strengthened by the familiar surroundings.

“When you play against a strong team like Pafos, you have to be clinical in front of goal. We know what kind of match awaits us. Pafos are an even stronger team on their own ground.”

The demanding schedule has presented another challenge for Dinamo’s coaching staff. The Albanian championship began last weekend, but Daja and his assistants have worked to address the main weakness identified in the first leg.

“Our main focus during training has been finishing because, at this level, you do not create many chances. The opportunities you do create must be converted.”

Bruno Dita: We believe we can get the result we need

Captain Bruno Dita views Dinamo’s appearance in the Conference League play-offs for a second consecutive season as a significant achievement. However, he insists that qualification remains the team’s real objective.

“It is a major achievement for us to be here and compete in the Conference League play-offs for a second season in a row.”

According to the captain, Dinamo had set the target of reaching this decisive stage from the very beginning of their European campaign.

“From the start of this European journey, our objective was to reach this point and qualify for the league phase.”

Dita confirmed that the atmosphere within the squad is excellent and that the players believe they can overcome Pafos.

“The mood within the team is very good. We know how strong our opponents are, but we have great belief that we can achieve the result we need and accomplish our goal.”

The 1-1 draw in Tirana

The first leg at Air Albania Stadium showed that the difference between the two teams is far from impossible to overcome.

David Fadairo gave Dinamo the lead in the 78th minute, raising hopes of a major victory. Pafos responded only five minutes later when Lelê converted from the penalty spot to make the final score 1-1. ESPN

The Cypriot side had an earlier opportunity to score from the spot, but David Luiz failed to convert his penalty.

The first-leg result left qualification completely open. In Limassol, however, Dinamo will have to deal carefully with the pressure from the home side and be more clinical with the opportunities they create.

Sá Pinto counting on home advantage and the supporters

Pafos’ Portuguese head coach, Ricardo Sá Pinto, expressed optimism ahead of the return leg. He believes that the support of the home crowd and the quality within his squad can make the difference.

“With the belief and quality we have as a team, we are very optimistic about tomorrow’s match. We know what our supporters and the entire city expect from us, and we are ready to make them happy.”

Sá Pinto knows Cypriot football well. He previously managed APOEL, leading the club to the championship in the 2023–24 season, before taking charge of Pafos in April 2026. Pafos FC

Pafos bring considerable European experience

Pafos have a squad featuring several well-known players with experience at the highest level.

Brazilian defender David Luiz, a Champions League winner with Chelsea, is the most recognisable name. The Cypriot club can also call upon players such as Ivan Šunjić, Domingos Quina, Pêpê, Mislav Oršić and Lelê.

Sá Pinto’s team began their European campaign in the Europa League. Pafos eliminated Hajduk Split following a remarkable comeback in Cyprus, winning 4-0 after extra time and progressing 4-2 on aggregate.

In the following round, Pafos were narrowly eliminated by Salzburg. They drew the return leg 3-3 but lost the tie 4-3 on aggregate, dropping into the Conference League play-offs. UEFA

Those results demonstrate that Pafos are particularly dangerous on home soil. Dinamo will need tactical discipline, total concentration and maximum efficiency.

The away-goals rule no longer applies

The 1-1 result in Tirana means that the two teams will begin the second leg on equal terms.

If Dinamo win, they will qualify for the league phase. If Pafos win, the Cypriot side will advance. If the match is level after 90 minutes, two 15-minute periods of extra time will be played. If the score remains level after extra time, qualification will be decided by a penalty shootout.

The away-goals rule is no longer in use, meaning that any draw in Cyprus will send the contest into extra time.

Slovenian officials appointed in Limassol

UEFA has appointed an all-Slovenian refereeing team for the match.

Role Name Referee Martin Matoša First assistant referee Aleksandar Kasapovič Second assistant referee Matic Mežnar Fourth official Mateo Tozan VAR Asmir Sagrković Assistant VAR Mihael Antič Match details

Match Pafos FC vs Dinamo City Competition UEFA Conference League Round Play-off, second leg First-leg result Dinamo City 1-1 Pafos FC Date August 27, 2026 Kick-off in Albania 19:00 Kick-off in Cyprus 20:00 Stadium Limassol Stadium/Alphamega Stadium City Limassol, Cyprus Referee Martin Matoša, Slovenia 90 minutes to make history

Dinamo City are only one result away from reaching the UEFA Conference League phase.

Pafos have home advantage, the support of their fans and a squad with greater international experience. Dinamo, meanwhile, have Ilir Daja’s organisation, the confidence of the group and a European campaign that has shown the Albanian side’s ability to respond after difficult moments.

Following their comeback against Auda, the Blues are now searching for another unforgettable European night.

One game. One dream. One step away from history. Together until the end. 🔵⚪