Patrik Horvat and Ivan Jurčić, 18-year-old talents of the Zagreb club, suffered the same severe injury within three days at the Mladen Ramljak memorial tournament. Both face surgery and a long recovery.
The darkest fears from Dinamo's dressing room have unfortunately come true. On Tuesday, the Zagreb club officially confirmed the diagnoses for two of its most talented juniors, Patrik Horvat and Ivan Jurčić. Both 18-year-olds were injured at the Mladen Ramljak memorial tournament, and medical examinations revealed an identical injury - a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament.
"Dinamo's juniors Patrik Horvat and Ivan Jurčić were injured during the Mladen Ramljak tournament. Unfortunately, both have suffered a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament and will be sidelined for an extended period. Both players will undergo surgical procedures, followed by a rehabilitation process and return to the pitch. Guys, we wish you successful surgeries, a swift and quality recovery, and a speedy return to what you love most. The entire Dinamo is behind you," reads the statement from GNK Dinamo.
The black streak began on the very first day of the tournament. Ivan Jurčić, a forward from the 2008 generation, was injured in the 72nd minute of the match against Juventus. While receiving the ball, he landed awkwardly, immediately grabbed his right knee, and asked to be substituted. The very next day, Dinamo confirmed severe damage to the cruciate ligaments.
Just three days later, in the final clash against Ajax, the same fate befell Horvat. Early in the second half, near the corner flag, he twisted his knee and remained on the grass in pain. He was carried off on a stretcher, and Ajax eventually won 2-1, ending Dinamo's streak of two consecutive titles at the Ramljak tournament.
The injury is a particularly heavy blow for Horvat, one of the best exponents of Dinamo's academy, who was already knocking on the door of the first team. The left winger, born on May 10, 2008, went through all the younger categories and signed a professional contract at the age of 17. In the UEFA Youth League, he scored against Monaco and Slovan Bratislava and provided an assist against Celtic.
The highlight of his career so far came in March this year when he debuted for the seniors in the Croatian Cup quarterfinal against Kurilovec and immediately scored in a 2-0 victory. At this year's Ramljak tournament, he assisted Jonij Benkotić for the goal against Benfica that secured a place in the final.
Ivan Jurčić, a forward from the same generation, was also considered a great prospect. Last season in the junior championship, he made 27 appearances, 25 of them in the starting lineup, and scored nine goals. His injury also shook his teammates - the day after the match against Juventus, Benkotić, after scoring against Club Brugge, ran half the pitch to dedicate the goal to the injured Jurčić, who was watching the match from the sideline.
Thus, in just a few days, Dinamo lost two 18-year-olds who were supposed to lead the junior or B team in the upcoming season. Horvat was already seriously pushing for a place in the senior squad, making this double blow particularly painful for the future of the club from Maksimir.
