Sopić Greets Dinamo Players, Then His Plan Falls Apart
The former Croatian coach, now at the helm of Kauno Žalgiris, watched helplessly as his team conceded two quick goals at Maksimir.
The former Croatian coach, now at the helm of Kauno Žalgiris, watched helplessly as his team conceded two quick goals at Maksimir.
Tonight at Maksimir, the first leg of the Champions League third qualifying round is being played between Dinamo and Lithuania's Kauno Žalgiris. The match carries a special note as the visitors are led by a familiar face in Croatian football, Željko Sopić.
The atmosphere before the kickoff was exceptionally warm. Sopić, as captured in photos by Davor Puklavac (PIXSELL), warmly greeted the players and staff of the Zagreb club, but his game plan unraveled within the first half-hour of play.
Dinamo entered the match with great intensity. After just thirty minutes, they managed to break through the visitors' defense and take the lead, and the Blues quickly doubled their advantage, delivering a heavy blow to the Lithuanian champions' ambitions.
The reactions from the Kauno Žalgiris bench were more than telling. Sopić was visibly displeased with what his team was showing on the pitch, as captured by the PIXSELL photographer's lens.
