Dinamo defeated Slaven Belupo 2:0 in the first round of the SuperSport HNL, and after the match, double scorer Dion Drena Beljo and debutant center-back Stjepan Radeljić shared their impressions.
Dinamo's footballers successfully opened the new SuperSport HNL season with a 2:0 victory over Slaven Belupo at Maksimir. The hero of the match was last season's top league scorer Dion Drena Beljo, who brought down the guests from Koprivnica with two goals, while Stjepan Radeljić, who arrived from Rijeka this summer, made his debut in the starting lineup at center-back.
The match played on July 31, 2026, brought a routine win for the 'Blues', but the start wasn't easy. According to Sportklub's report, Beljo admitted that the team entered the game sluggishly, still tired from the exhausting European match against Thun played three days earlier, which Dinamo won 3:2 after extra time. "Slaven was very energetic and full of running in the first half; it wasn't easy for us because we came in sleepy, still tired from the last game. After the first goal, the tide turned in our favor and it was much easier," Beljo explained to the club's cameras.
Despite scoring both goals for the win, Beljo wasn't entirely pleased with his display. "It was important for our confidence to open the season with a win. After the tough match against Thun three days ago, we needed a game like this, and now we can turn our attention to the next European challenge," Beljo said, as reported by Sportklub.
He also reflected on his performance: "My goals? They're important for confidence, but I'm not satisfied with my game. I have a lot of room for improvement."
For 28-year-old center-back Stjepan Radeljić, this was a special moment. After playing just one minute in the win over Thun last week, he now earned the trust of coach Mario Kovačević and played all 90 minutes on the pitch.
"It's a special feeling to start from the first minute in front of so many fans. My legs were shaking at the beginning, but as the game went on, it got better and better. Thanks to the fans for their support, we'll go even stronger," Radeljić admitted to Klix.ba. He was also close to scoring his first goal for the new club, but the ball didn't find the net. "I was a bit short of scoring, but the important thing is that we won; the goals will come," he added.
Both players already have their minds on Tuesday, when Dinamo hosts Lithuanian side Kauno Žalgiris at Maksimir in the third qualifying round of the Champions League. "We're in a period where we play every three days. We'll rest, analyze the opponent. They're a tricky team; we'll try to win at home with as big a margin as possible," Radeljić told 24sata Sport.
Beljo is aware of the danger posed by the Lithuanian champions: "A tough opponent. They come here with nothing to lose. This is a historic opportunity for them to reach the Champions League, and we need to prepare well and give our all for the win." Despite the heat of over 30 degrees, as noted by GNK Dinamo on Twitter, the players are ready for new challenges.
