Coach Mario Kovačević announced significant changes to the lineup for the league clash with Rudeš, while Luka Stojković is omitted due to an adductor injury. Focus is already partly on the Champions League play-off against Viking.
Dinamo successfully navigated their tie against Žalgiris, and now the Blues face crucial matches at the start of the season. On Friday (August 14, 2026), they host Rudeš at Maksimir in the 3rd round of the SHNL at 8 PM, while on Tuesday (August 18, 2026), they face the first leg of the Champions League play-off against Norwegian side Viking at 9 PM. The return leg is eight days later in Stavanger.
Coach Mario Kovačević confirmed at the press conference that Luka Stojković will not be among the candidates for the Rudeš clash. The midfielder left the pitch at halftime in Kaunas due to adductor pain and did not train on Wednesday either.
"We won't take any risks; there's no need for it. I believe he'll fully recover by Tuesday for the Viking match," said Kovačević. On the other hand, Perez-Vinlöf, who took a knock against Žalgiris and came off after a solid 45 minutes, trained on Wednesday and will be available for Friday's squad.
The Blues' tactician announced there will be plenty of changes to the lineup compared to the Žalgiris match. "These aren't changes for the sake of changes, but because I trust all the players I have in the dressing room. I even regret not being able to give some of them more opportunities; everyone is working well, and I can't wait to send some of those who have played less onto the pitch on Friday," he stated.
He specifically addressed the goalkeeping situation following Filipović's suspension and Ivan Nevistić's return to the spotlight. "I'm not worried about Nevistić; I know we can count on him; he's a quality goalkeeper. He was in a crisis, so we made a change in goal, but now he's back. At the end of the day, Zagorac is also here, and I can seriously count on him too," said Kovačević, adding that he has no doubts about the goalkeeping quality of either Nevistić or the 39-year-old Zagorac.
Kovačević also mentioned Mudražija, for whom there were talks about a loan move, but nothing materialized, and he will be in contention for the Rudeš match.
Alongside football commitments, Dinamo's foundation Nema predaje and GNK Dinamo have joined Bruno Lerotić's and Team nenormalni's charity campaign. Last year, they equipped over 1,800 students, and this year the campaign continues.
Donations of school supplies, bags, notebooks, and pencil cases can be dropped off at Dinamo's fan zone on August 18 before the Viking match, on August 22 before the Varaždin match, during Maksimir Days from August 19-23, and at the "Živim svoj san" tournament in Vukovina on August 23. Donations can also be sent to Darija Drnić, Ulica Slavka Kolara 18, Kuče, 10419 Vukovina.
The club also announced a film about last season titled "The Return of the King," which will be shown at 8 PM on Dinamo Plus and at 9 PM on YouTube.
