The Blues completely outplayed the Lithuanian side led by Željko Sopić at Maksimir in the first leg of the Champions League third qualifying round. The return match is in a week in Lithuania.
Dinamo's footballers have taken a big step towards the Champions League play-off. In the first match of the third qualifying round at Maksimir, they dismantled Lithuanian side Kauno Žalgiris 3:0. The hosts dominated from the first minute, with Zajc, McKenna, and Lisica finding the back of the net.
Although the Blues controlled the game from the start and constantly threatened, they only took the lead in the 32nd minute. Lisica fed the ball from the right wing to Stojković, who laid it off for Zajc. The Slovenian midfielder unleashed a shot from about 18 meters, and although goalkeeper Švedkauskas made the save, the ball bounced off the post and into the net.
Just a minute later, it was already 2:0. After a corner combination, Perez Vinlof delivered a cross, and after a rebound, the ball fell to McKenna, who scored from the scramble to significantly increase the lead.
Dinamo continued to press in the second half. In the 51st minute, Mišić played a through ball between the lines to Lisica, who fired a powerful shot from about 20 meters past the visitors' goalkeeper for the final 3:0. The Blues calmly controlled the game until the end, with the visitors coming closest to scoring in the 67th minute when Baldassarra hit the crossbar from 25 meters.
The match was further spiced up in the 65th minute when Kalik, presented as a new Kauno Žalgiris player the day before, came on for the visitors. Dinamo's fans, the Boys, haven't forgotten his Hajduk past and 'greeted' him with loud whistles.
During the first half, when there wasn't much excitement on the pitch, the home fans loudly sang the patriotic song 'Moja domovina' (My Homeland). This was a nod to tomorrow's Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day and the Day of Croatian Defenders, marking the 31st anniversary of Operation Storm.
The Blues could have had a more comfortable lead in the second half. In the 56th minute, Beljo missed a big chance. Valinčić beat his man on the right wing and crossed for Beljo, who headed the ball into the ground, but goalkeeper Švedkauskas saved his effort. Five minutes later, Zajc hit the wall directly from a free kick.
Coach Kovačević decided to freshen up the team in the second half. At the start of the half, in the 46th minute, Edokpolor and Karashima came on for Kreković and Konatar. In the 57th minute, Fiolić replaced Ourega, and four minutes later, Oršić came on for Hoxha. In the 71st minute, Topić and Kačavenda replaced scorers Lisica and Zajc.
The statistics best illustrate the balance of power on the pitch. Dinamo had as much as 73 percent possession in the first 45 minutes and took 11 shots, four of which were on target. On the other hand, Kauno Žalgiris players, led from the bench by Željko Sopić, managed just one shot towards goalkeeper Ivan Filipović.
The match at the packed Maksimir was watched by 12,147 spectators. The return leg is scheduled for a week's time in Lithuania, starting at 7 PM.
