Viking Coach Reveals His Biggest Fear About Dinamo
Morten Jensen is aware of the challenge awaiting his team, while Kauno Žalgiris has strengthened with a former Hajduk player ahead of the clash with the Blues.
Morten Jensen is aware of the challenge awaiting his team, while Kauno Žalgiris has strengthened with a former Hajduk player ahead of the clash with the Blues.
Morten Jensen, the coach of Norway's Viking, is aware that his team has drawn an extremely tough opponent in the Champions League playoff round. Although it is not yet certain whether they will face Dinamo or Kauno Žalgiris, Jensen does not hide that he expects a duel with the Croatian champions, and one thing particularly worries him.
The Norwegians are satisfied with the order of the matches because they will play the first leg away, with the decisive return leg in front of their own fans in Stavanger. Advancing in that tie would take Viking to the league phase of the Champions League, while even a defeat would secure them a European autumn in the Europa League.
Jensen did not want to write off the Lithuanian representative in advance, but he is clear about who is the favorite in the third qualifying round. "The Croatian champions are the favorites, but they first have to play their matches. We'll see what happens. In any case, a tough and quality opponent awaits us," Jensen told Norwegian TV 2.
He also added that his team is looking forward to the challenge ahead. "We are really looking forward to this opportunity. In playoff matches, there is always a realistic chance to advance," the Viking coach said.
A much more vivid reaction came from former Norwegian footballer and TV commentator Jesper Mathisen. He believes that Viking will almost certainly play against Dinamo, and he specifically warned about the atmosphere that awaits the Norwegians in Zagreb.
"It will probably be Dinamo Zagreb. They are an experienced and tough opponent that Bodø/Glimt has already failed to get past. We often talk about cauldrons, but the one in Zagreb is among the most intense you can play in. It will really be boiling there because the atmosphere is terrible," Mathisen said.
While the Norwegians analyze their potential opponent, Kauno Žalgiris, coached by Željko Sopić, has strengthened their ranks just before the clash with Dinamo. The Lithuanian club officially presented Anthony Kalik, a 28-year-old Australian midfielder of Croatian roots, best known to the public for his time at Hajduk.
Kalik played a total of 129 official matches for the Split club, scoring eight goals and providing seven assists. He was at Poljud on two occasions, from 2016 to 2020 and from 2022 until his contract expired this summer. Last season, he made 23 appearances and scored two goals, and according to Transfermarkt, his value is 500,000 euros.
"Ahead of the Champions League third qualifying round clash against Dinamo, our team has been joined by long-time Hajduk player and Australian national team candidate Anthony Kalik," Kauno Žalgiris announced on social media. Kalik could make his debut as early as the first match at Maksimir, given that the club has the right to register up to two additional players up to 24 hours before the match.
