Dinamo Looks to Close the Gap on Europe Tonight
The third qualifying round for the Champions League kicks off at 8 PM at Maksimir. Coach Kovačević has few doubts, while the Lithuanian challenge brings a familiar face to the bench.
The third qualifying round for the Champions League kicks off at 8 PM at Maksimir. Coach Kovačević has few doubts, while the Lithuanian challenge brings a familiar face to the bench.
Dinamo's footballers play their first match of the third qualifying round for the Champions League tonight at 8 PM at Maksimir Stadium against Lithuanian champions FK Kauno Žalgiris. The match is broadcast live on MaxSport 1, and tickets are still available through the club's official website.
Coach Mario Kovačević has only a few minor dilemmas ahead of naming his starting lineup. Ivan Filipović will remain in goal, while the defensive block in front of him should consist of Moris Valinčić, Sergi Domínguez, Scott McKenna, and Matteo Pérez Vinlöf, who has emerged as a dangerous attacking option from the left in the previous two appearances.
The biggest news for fans is the return of Luka Stojković to the starting eleven after serving his suspension. He will play in midfield alongside Josip Mišić and Miha Zajc, although there is a slight question mark over the latter due to a tendon issue. If Zajc is not ready, Lukas Kačavenda will step in.
Up front, Dion Drena Beljo is undisputed, he has scored three goals in three matches this season. On the wings, Mislav Oršić holds a slight edge over Arbër Hoxha, while on the right side, Mateo Lisica and Fran Topić are likely to share minutes, with Topić potentially providing energy off the bench again.
Although the crest with a ball in the center and orange motifs immediately evokes the famous basketball history of the Kaunas club, which has won a total of 64 trophies and produced a legend like Arvydas Sabonis, the football section has only existed for 22 years. Its trophy cabinet holds two titles: last season's Lithuanian championship and this year's Supercup.
The difference in squad value is significant. According to Transfermarkt, Dinamo's squad is valued at €65.6 million, while Kauno Žalgiris is worth €9.35 million, making the Blues seven times "heavier" on paper.
A special note to the match is added by the visiting coach, Željko Sopić. The former Dinamo manager, who sat on the Maksimir bench as interim coach in September 2016 in the Champions League against Juventus (a 4-0 defeat), has led teams against the Blues 11 times in his career. His record stands at five draws and six losses, with a win still eluding him.
Sopić drew with Dinamo three times in just six months with Gorica, while the other two draws came during his tenure at Rijeka. Tonight will be his second European match on the Maksimir turf.
Although Dinamo are heavy favorites, the club is aware that the sluggish start seen in the first three matches of the season must not be repeated. They struggled to get past Thun overall, and against Slaven Belupo, they only took control after an initial lack of intensity.
History, however, is on Dinamo's side. Lithuanian clubs have not caused them problems in qualifiers this century, Ekranas fell 9-3 on aggregate 20 years ago, and Žalgiris from Vilnius lost 12 years ago with two smooth 2-0 victories. Tonight, a continuation of that positive streak is expected.
