Kovačević makes as many as eight changes for the SHNL opener. See Dinamo's lineup
The reigning champions host Slaven Belupo at Maksimir tonight at 8 PM, just 72 hours after the drama with Thun
The reigning champions host Slaven Belupo at Maksimir tonight at 8 PM, just 72 hours after the drama with Thun
Dinamo's players kick off the new SuperSport HNL season tonight at home against Slaven Belupo. The match takes place at Maksimir at 8 PM, exactly 72 hours after the team secured a spot in the third qualifying round of the Champions League with a dramatic comeback against Thun. Head coach Mario Kovačević has decided to significantly reshuffle his squad.
As reported by Index.hr, Kovačević will make as many as eight changes to the starting lineup. The only three players keeping their places are goalkeeper Ivan Filipović, captain Josip Mišić, and main striker Dion Drena Beljo. The remaining eight positions go to players who came off the bench or were not in the squad for the European match.
In central defense, the Domínguez, McKenna pair will be replaced by Niko Galešić and Stjepan Radeljić, a duo who once played together at Rijeka. At right-back, Moris Valinčić, the hero of Thun, will make way for Paul Tabinas, while on the left side, Bruno Goda is replaced by Matteo Pérez Vinlöf.
The midfield is being completely rebuilt. Alongside Mišić, Luka Stojković, who missed the European tie through suspension, and Lukas Kačavenda, who impressed with an excellent cameo against the Swiss, will play. On the wings, Fran Topić and Arbër Hoxha will get minutes, while Mislav Oršić starts from the bench this time.
Ahead of the match, Kovačević told Tportal: "Stojković is back, I can't wait, and it's logical that we'll rotate the squad. It's easier for me now than last year, I know the players, we've been together for a year and I know what each one can do. Everyone in the squad will get a chance."
He also added that the ambitions remain unchanged: "The goal is always the same, to win the title. I'd also like us to have a few more points than last season, score a few more goals, concede a few less, and avoid those lapses."
The visitors from Koprivnica begin their 30th consecutive top-flight season. Coach Mario Gregurina, also talking to Tportal, revealed that he watched Dinamo's clash with Thun and drew some conclusions: "It helped us a bit in setting up our tactics. We'll definitely take some things from it, see how to attack them, how to defend."
The referee for the match is Antonio Melnjak from Rijeka, with Dario Bel and Goran Pataki in the VAR room. Dinamo also announced that the second-round match against Rijeka has been postponed due to both clubs' European commitments, and on social media they say this is "the last HNL opening at Maksimir as we know it," announcing upcoming changes to the iconic stadium.
