Dinamo enters crucial European matches without a reliable goalkeeper, with fans and experts watching in disbelief as the management gambles on the most important position on the pitch.
Croatian football fans are watching the situation at GNK Dinamo with disbelief ahead of the crucial Champions League playoff matches. The club from Maksimir is entering the most important part of the season with a serious problem in goal, and the question on everyone's mind is how this was allowed to happen. Fans find it hard to understand how the club embarked on this venture without at least a solid goalkeeper.
Ivan Filipović has not inspired confidence in Dinamo's goal from the very start of this season. Since the buyout of Dominik Livaković was not possible, Dinamo could not call upon the services of a top-class international goalkeeper. What is certain is that Livaković will not feature in the key matches against Norwegian side Viking, which are part of the Champions League playoff, with the tie valued at approximately 20 million euros.
Dinamo have opted for Nevistić, who came on after Filipović was sent off, and he had not looked particularly reliable earlier either. Nevistić, in his current state, although not to blame for the situation, poses a threat to Dinamo's ambitions.
Of course, it could all end with a fairytale, happy ending. Perhaps Nevistić will manage to rediscover his former form. However, this approach looks more like gambling than responsible planning. A club like Dinamo, which is undoubtedly a big club, should handle such situations with more finesse, as highlighted in an analysis by Zagreb.info.
The experience, skill, and reliability of Dominik Livaković have long been legendary. Even if he hasn't played for the club in months, he has been excellent in every match for the national team. There is no doubt about his qualities, unlike the doubts surrounding the goalkeepers who remained at Dinamo.
There was talk that Dinamo had shown interest in their former goalkeeper, Oliver Zelenika. Although he is well into his thirties, he has been in excellent form at Varaždin, helping that club become one of the most pleasant surprises of our league. Zelenika has not played in European or domestic matches for Varaždin, so if that is any indication, the story of his return to Maksimir is not yet over.
However, the problem is the match against Viking. Even if Zelenika were to join Dinamo now, the risk of him making his debut against Viking is not negligible. One must consider nerves and overthinking. As with Nevistić, after an extended period out of action, he could find himself in the starting lineup against the Norwegians. Let's just hope he isn't weighed down by a great sense of responsibility, as was evidently the case with his predecessor Filipović.
Dinamo have two important matches coming up at Maksimir in the coming days. According to a post on the club's official Twitter profile, Rudeš visit tomorrow, and the UEFA Champions League playoff is already on Tuesday. "For this feeling. 💙 Two matches await us at Maksimir in the coming days, and in both, the Blues need your support: tomorrow Rudeš come to visit, and on Tuesday it's the UEFA Champions League playoff! Dinamo Zagreb, ale ale ale!!! 🔊", reads the GNK Dinamo post, accompanied by a photo of Luka Stanzl.
The Dinamo, Viking match is scheduled for August 18, 2026, while Dinamo will host Varaždin on August 22, 2026. The club has urged fans to purchase tickets exclusively through the official system at tickets.gnkdinamo.hr.
Before these important matches, Dinamo's foundation Nema predaje and GNK Dinamo are again joining the charity drive by Bruno Lerotić and Team nenormalni. "A pencil case, a pencil, a notebook, or a bag, a small thing for us, everything for someone else 📓📚🖌️ That's why Dinamo's foundation Nema predaje and GNK Dinamo are again joining the charity drive by Bruno Lerotić and Team nenormalni. Last year, together we equipped more than 1,800 students, and this year we're doing it again! 🙌", the club posted on Twitter on August 12, 2026.
Donations of school bags, notebooks, pencil cases, and art supplies can be dropped off at Dinamo's fan zone on August 18 before the Dinamo, Viking match, and on August 22 before the Dinamo, Varaždin match. The drive also runs during the Days of Maksimir from August 19 to 23, as well as at the "Živim svoj san" tournament in Vukovina on August 23, 2026. Donations can also be sent to Darija Drnić, Ulica Slavka Kolara 18, Kuče, 10419 Vukovina.
Dinamo aspire to the highest heights in European football. But their hand has trembled because they have yet to find a goalkeeper who can be ranked in the higher quality tier of the entire team. So, how could it have come to this? So much sporting affirmation and enormous money are at stake, and everything is being risked, concludes Zagreb.info.
