Dinamo coach Mario Kovačević commented on the 2:1 victory in Lithuania, the forced substitutions due to injuries and the red card, and previewed the clash with Viking for a place in the Champions League.
GNK Dinamo secured their place in the Champions League play-off round. In the return leg of the third qualifying round, played on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, the Zagreb side defeated Lithuanian side Kauno Žalgiris 2:1 in Kaunas, which, combined with the 5:0 win at Maksimir, was more than enough to advance with an aggregate score of 7:1.
The scorers for the 'Blues' were Lukas Kačavenda and Josip Mišić, while Gabriel Debeljuh scored a consolation goal for the hosts. However, the match took an unexpected turn in the 32nd minute when goalkeeper Ivan Filipović was shown a red card, leaving his team a man down for the remainder of the match.
A detailed analysis of the match was given by coach Mario Kovačević on the club's television channel. "We can be satisfied, but even with a 7:0 aggregate, it can't be easy. We took the lead, and we could divide the match into two parts: before the red card and after. We scored two nice goals, that's all true, but even before that, we made too many mistakes and allowed Žalgiris too much," Večernji list reports his statement from Dinamo's YouTube channel.
Kovačević made three changes already at half-time, which raised questions. The coach explained that these were not tactical moves but a necessity. "We left Stojković in the dressing room at half-time because he felt his adductor, and Perez Vinlöf took a knock, so we took them off to prevent a more serious injury," said Kovačević.
Nevertheless, he is optimistic about their recovery. "They'll probably be fine by Tuesday, but also for Friday so we have enough players for Rudeš. So, from that side, again, apart from that red card, there were no injuries, so we must and can be satisfied," he added.
With this advancement, Dinamo has secured at least a spot in the league phase of the Europa League, but the main goal is to reach the Champions League. The final hurdle will be Norwegian champions Viking FK. "We live for this. Last season we won the title, and our wish is for all of us to enter the Champions League. We wanted this, we've reached the play-off, and we will certainly give our all and scout Viking well," Kovačević said.
The first play-off match will be played on August 18 at 9 PM at Maksimir Stadium in Zagreb, while the return leg is scheduled for August 26 at the same time in Stavanger, Norway. "I believe that we will be good already in that first match at home," the coach concluded.
Before the European challenge, Dinamo has obligations in the SuperSport HNL and a match against Rudeš. "We have depth, and we'll have a day or two to prepare well. Against Rudeš, we want only a win," Kovačević told HRT. Scorer Lukas Kačavenda added: "I feel good, although I think I can do much better. The Champions League is a big desire of the whole team, staff, and club, and I hope we will achieve it."
