Croatian coach Željko Sopić and former Lokomotiva player Ivan Fiolić lead Lithuanian side Kauno Žalgiris in their quest for the Champions League, with Dinamo at Maksimir as their first hurdle.
On Tuesday evening, Maksimir Stadium will not only be the stage for a battle to advance to the Champions League playoffs. It will also be a sort of family reunion for two Croats leading Lithuanian club Kauno Žalgiris, coach Željko Sopić and player Ivan Fiolić, ahead of the first leg of the third qualifying round against Zagreb's Dinamo.
The return leg is scheduled for August 11, 2026, in Lithuania, but all attention is now on the match starting at 8 PM. Sopić's team earned this stage of the competition by defeating Klaksvík from the Faroe Islands 1-0, and now they face a much bigger challenge. "If we wanted to give up, we would have canceled the match and the charter flight," Sopić said decisively, dismissing any notion that his team came just to go through the motions.
At the press conference held on Monday in Zagreb, Sopić did not hide his emotions. "It's like asking me which child I love more. Tomorrow I'm on the other side, but I've been on Dinamo's side my whole life. You have to be professional; after all, this is my job," said the former coach of Gorica and Osijek.
He is aware of the opponent's strength and does not shy away from reality. "I'm not stupid; I know they are better than us, a spaceship, so to speak. We've gotten past all the teams so far that played a style that doesn't suit us. My coaching staff and I have been with the players for a month; we know what it means when Dinamo plays at Maksimir, carried by the crowd," Sopić added.
Asked about the pressure on Dinamo as favorites, he replied briefly: "You have no idea how many matches like this Dinamo has already played. It doesn't matter whether you're the favorite or not."
Ivan Fiolić, who came through Dinamo's youth academy and later played for Lokomotiva, was also emotional. "This is a big day for all of us, especially for me. It's not an easy day for me and my family, but I'm confident we are ready," he said. "I grew up here and took my first football steps. We need to give our all in tomorrow's match." When asked if he would celebrate a potential goal, he replied briefly: "I already had that chance with Lokomotiva and Osijek. It will be the same if I score now."
Sopić also commented on Dinamo player Kovačević's wish to play specifically against Žalgiris. "I haven't read the statement; we've known each other for years. It's nice of him to wish for that. The feelings are mutual; we also rooted for Dinamo against Thun."
Although Dinamo is the clear favorite in Croatia, Sopić emphasizes that reaching the third qualifying round is a huge success for his club. "I know it might not seem that way to the media and fans, but in Lithuania, this is a big deal. We're playing against the strongest; if we get through, we'll play against the strongest again, and then against some Beşiktaş. I told the boys we have to live in the present," he said.
He also touched on comparisons between Croatian and Lithuanian football: "I think they can't be compared at the national level; Croatia has won three medals. As for the club level, I could talk about that for hours."
He spoke warmly about life and work in Lithuania. "It's a beautiful city, and the people are very warm. They remind me a lot of my Croatia. It's always nicer when you have good results."
Sopić revealed he has headaches when putting together the squad. "We have some problems because we don't have enough young players. I don't know how to solve some issues. I don't know who will be on the list; Kalik came to the hotel today. I'm happy because the people at the club asked me what I needed, and I expressed my wishes. We have training today, after which we'll see who will play."
Regarding the high temperatures in Zagreb, which reached 37 degrees, Sopić was clear: "As for the weather conditions, it's hot for Croats too, not just for us. We came to play for the Champions League; I don't want to hear any excuses if someone is unhappy that it's 37 degrees outside."
