Blick: Dinamo Captain Josip Mišić Was the Worst on the Pitch
Swiss media harshly criticized the Blue captain after a dramatic comeback against Thun in Maksimir, as Dinamo awaits its opponent in the Champions League third qualifying round.
Swiss media harshly criticized the Blue captain after a dramatic comeback against Thun in Maksimir, as Dinamo awaits its opponent in the Champions League third qualifying round.
Switzerland's most-read media outlet Blick harshly criticized Dinamo captain Josip Mišić after the Champions League second qualifying round match against Thun, played on July 28, 2026, at the Maksimir Stadium. Despite the Blues' final 3-2 victory and progression to the next round, Mišić's performance in the first half left a bitter taste. Blick gave him a scathing assessment, noting that his error triggered an almost catastrophic scenario for the Croatian champions.
In the first half, Dinamo looked lost against an organized Thun. The Swiss guests took the lead in the 4th minute through Brighton Labeau, and Marc Burki doubled the lead in the 22nd minute. The key moment occurred during the first goal when Mišić carelessly lost the ball in midfield. Blick wrote in its analysis:
"Josip Mišić was supposed to bring stability to Dinamo's game, but he failed to do so. He carelessly lost the ball ahead of the first goal, thus triggering an almost catastrophic turn of events for Dinamo."This assessment is reported by Tportal, adding that the captain was one of the worst players on the pitch in the first 45 minutes.
Thun played with a man down from the 67th minute after Burki's red card. This was the signal for a turnaround. Coach Mario Kovačević's team first reduced the deficit in the 74th minute through Dion Drena Beljo, and just four minutes later, Lukas Kačavenda equalized at 2-2. The match went to extra time, and the winning goal that secured advancement came from Moris Valinčić in the 112th minute for a final 3-2 score and a big celebration in Maksimir.
With this victory, Dinamo has secured at least a spot in the league phase of the Conference League, even if it does not overcome the next qualifying hurdle. Reaching the third qualifying round would guarantee at least the Europa League. The team will learn its next opponent tonight, July 29, 2026, when the winner of the match between Klaksvík of the Faroe Islands and Lithuania's Kauno Žalgiris, coached by Croatian manager Željko Sopić, is determined. The first leg ended 0-0, and the return match in Lithuania starts at 18:00. The first match of the third qualifying round is scheduled for August 4 or 5, with Dinamo playing at home in front of its fans. The return leg is on August 11 away.
According to data reported by HRT, the win against Thun also brought a significant boost in the European ranking. The Croatian league is currently in 23rd place, and every new point brings it closer to Ukraine. A finish above that position would allow the Croatian champion to start next season's Champions League qualifiers in the second qualifying round, providing additional motivation for Dinamo's continued successful European run.
