Beljo's Double Downs Slaven Belupo in HNL Season Opener
Dinamo celebrated a 2-0 victory over the Koprivnica side at Maksimir, with coach Kovačević saying: 'It could have been more goals, but the important thing is we started the season with a win.'
Dinamo celebrated a 2-0 victory over the Koprivnica side at Maksimir, with coach Kovačević saying: 'It could have been more goals, but the important thing is we started the season with a win.'
GNK Dinamo kicked off their defense of the SuperSport HNL title with a win. In the 1st round match at Maksimir Stadium, they defeated Slaven Belupo 2-0, with Dion Drena Beljo as the hero of the home side, scoring both goals.
The match was played on July 31, 2026, and the visitors from Koprivnica opened the game boldly. Slaven Belupo's coach, Mario Gregurina, opted for a solid block and quick transitions, which initially proved to be a good recipe. As early as the 7th minute, Slaven had two great chances to take the lead, but Dinamo's goalkeeper, Filip Filipović, made fantastic interventions to prevent an early shock at Maksimir.
According to the match report, he first denied Mitrović's shot and then dealt with a dangerous follow-up situation. These saves proved crucial as Dinamo took control of the game after the initial pressure. As reported by Lika Online, Kovačević made as many as eight changes to the starting lineup compared to the exhausting European clash against Thun, yet Dinamo did not lose any quality.
The reward for their pressure came in the 34th minute. Perez Vinlof broke down the left flank and delivered the ball into the box, where Dion Drena Beljo struck a spectacular volley to make it 1-0. It was a goal that broke the resistance of the Koprivnica side. Before the end of the half, Beljo threatened again, hitting the crossbar with a long-range effort in stoppage time.
Any doubts about the winner were erased in the 52nd minute. Luka Stojković, returning to competitive action after a lengthy layoff, played a brilliant through ball to Beljo. The Dinamo striker calmly rounded goalkeeper Ivan Sentić and slotted home to make it 2-0.
Dinamo continued to attack and create chances. Radeljić hit the post with a header, while returning player Mislav Oršić added extra liveliness in the closing stages and also struck the woodwork. Mišić threatened several times from distance, and Hoxha forced a save from Sentić. Slaven Belupo barely threatened Filipović in the second half. According to ePodravina, Slaven Belupo had as many as five players in their starting lineup making their debut for the Pharmacy team.
Dinamo coach Mario Kovačević was pleased with the win but not with the finishing. "It could have been more goals, but the important thing is we started the season with a win. It's not easy to prepare a match in three days; we rotated the squad. In the early rounds, everyone is motivated; they had the first chance. I'm even glad Filipović had something to do, that he gained confidence from those saves; we'll need him. My only dissatisfaction is that we could have scored a few more goals; we hit the crossbar and two posts," Kovačević told HRT, as reported by Narod.hr.
He particularly praised Stojković: "He hasn't played a competitive match in a long time; you saw that ball for the second goal, he has that quality. Stojković means a lot to us." He also commented on new striker Smail Prevljak, who arrived from Istra 1961: "Prevljak has only had his first training session; he's had issues with his finger in recent days. He'll be in contention for the Žalgiris match, and if needed, he can help for ten or fifteen minutes."
Slaven Belupo coach Mario Gregurina congratulated Dinamo on the win but found positives in his team's performance. "Our idea was to block and transition; we looked very good in the first half. Unfortunately, we didn't convert some situations, and then when Dinamo takes the lead, you have to open up and live dangerously. The first half is our guiding thread; we ended up okay," Gregurina told HRT. He added that the team is still a work in progress: "We have many new players; we're still building the team, and I believe we'll be better in a few rounds. There are a lot of young players; there will be ups and downs, but that's our path."
Dinamo now turns its focus to the European stage. On Tuesday, August 4, 2026, they host Lithuanian champions Žalgiris at Maksimir in the Champions League qualifiers. Kovačević revealed that the coaching staff has already analyzed the opponent. "We watched Žalgiris in their last match. Sopić has done a good job; they'll come here full of desire, but the most important thing is that we focus on ourselves. I know we'll grow from game to game, and I believe we'll be even better on Tuesday," said the Modri coach.
The first round of the SuperSport HNL continues on Saturday with matches Istra 1961, Lokomotiva (6:30 PM) and Gorica, Osijek (9 PM), while Sunday features Varaždin, Hajduk (6:30 PM) and Rijeka, Rudeš (9 PM).
