For coach Mircea Lucescu, Dynamo Kyiv's first competitive game after 221 days was a sign of hope.
"Football gives hope, excitement and motivation for life," said the Romanian coach after the goalless draw in the second round of Champions League qualifying against Fenerbahce Istanbul.
Because of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, the game of the Ukrainian record champions took place in front of 11,000 spectators at the Miejski Stadium in Lodz, Poland.
Both teams wore jerseys with the inscription "Stop War".
Before the game started, the Dynamo team wrapped themselves in a Ukrainian flag and sang the national anthem together.
An important symbolism from Lucescu's point of view: "There is a terrible war going on in Europe and this should remind everyone that it is not over yet." One would of course support the soldiers at home, Kiev defender Oleksandr Syrota said before the game said.
"We hope that we win for them." In the well-filled stands in Lodz, the Ukrainian fans cheered despite the soccer zero number.
For example, a woman held up a sign saying “Thanks Turkey for the Bayraktars”.
Ukraine uses Turkish Bayraktar drones in the fight against Russian attackers.
According to plans, the Ukrainian league is set to restart on August 23 despite the ongoing war attacks.
Since the beginning of the war and the end of the league, the Ukrainian record champions had kept themselves fit with friendly and charity games - such as in April at Borussia Dortmund.
The second leg in the Champions League qualifier will take place on July 27 (7:00 p.m.) at Turkish championship runners-up Fenerbahce in Istanbul.
The winner then meets the Austrian club Sturm Graz.
The winner of this duel is in the Champions League playoff, the loser in the Europa League group stage.