Dominguez: I Want to Take Dinamo to the Champions League
The young Spanish center-back, speaking ahead of tonight's match against Kauno Žalgiris, revealed how he ended up at Maksimir, why he's learning Croatian, and who inspired him.
The young Spanish center-back, speaking ahead of tonight's match against Kauno Žalgiris, revealed how he ended up at Maksimir, why he's learning Croatian, and who inspired him.
Sergi Dominguez, the young center-back for Zagreb's Dinamo, spoke at length in an interview with Spain's Marca about his ambitions ahead of tonight's third qualifying round Champions League match against Kauno Žalgiris. The game at Maksimir kicks off at 8:00 PM, and Dominguez doesn't hide that qualifying for the elite competition is his only short-term goal.
"Our short-term goal is to get into the Champions League. Playing there as a starter and an important player is a whole different ball game compared to the Europa League," Dominguez told Marca. After Dinamo knocked out Thun in the previous round, the Lithuanian champions are now up next. "We have four games left, and I think we have a good chance. I believe in the team and in our progression," he added.
Growing up in football alongside Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsí, making his debut for Barcelona's first team in 2024 under Hansi Flick, and then a transfer to Croatia. Dominguez admits he didn't see this coming.
"I finished the season at Barça, and the plan was to go out on loan or be sold, but I never imagined I'd end up in Croatia. I thought I'd be playing in the Spanish second division," he revealed. The key role was played by Albert Capellas, Dinamo's academy director and former coordinator of Barça's youth setup, who called him in mid-June last year.
"He explained that Dinamo had changed their philosophy, and I liked that idea. I came primarily because Capellas already knew me," Dominguez said. He added that Dinamo's offer was the most concrete: "We also had eight guaranteed Europa League games. That really meant a lot."
The decision to come to Zagreb was also influenced by the career of Dani Olmo, who went from Dinamo to Leipzig and then back to Barcelona. "I spoke with him before coming. Dani came here, then went to Leipzig, and eventually returned to Barcelona. That's why I thought of him, because my dream is to play at home again," he admitted.
Like Olmo, Dominguez is diligently learning Croatian. "I understand about 70 percent of what's said about football. Off the pitch, in a store or a restaurant, I can manage, but following everyday conversation is really tough. The words aren't similar to Spanish, Catalan, or English, which makes it even harder," he explained.
Dominguez doesn't feel lonely in Zagreb. He plays in defense with Raúl Torrente, and there are other Spanish-speaking players in the squad. "We get along really well. There's also Matteo Pérez Vinlöf, who is of Swedish-Peruvian descent, and Scott McKenna, who learned Spanish while playing for Las Palmas. There are a few of us, and we've formed a little group," he said.
He also revealed that he advised Dani Rodríguez to join Dinamo: "I played with Dani for five years, and we have a great relationship. I think there's no better place for young players. The league is very competitive and offers great visibility."
Barcelona sold him for €1.2 million, and Dominguez doesn't hide that he'd like to return one day. "My ultimate goal is to go back home and play for Barça. I hope that will be possible. It's tough, but I'll try. I still have time," he stated.
However, he stresses that all transfer talk is irrelevant at this point. "I have no idea. I haven't spoken to anyone. Even if a big offer came in, my goal is to get Dinamo into the Champions League. Once we achieve that, we'll see what happens next," he concluded. If Dinamo reaches the group stage, Dominguez has a special wish: "It would be interesting, especially playing against Barcelona. That would mean meeting friends and the entire coaching staff I know."
