Kovačević: Stojković Out of Squad for Rudeš, We're Saving Him for Viking

GNK Dinamo will host Rudeš at Maksimir on Friday, August 14, 2026, at 8:00 PM in the 3rd round of the HNL. After last weekend's postponed match against Rijeka and securing a spot in the Champions League playoff in Kaunas, coach Mario Kovačević has announced significant rotations in the squad, with Stojković dropping out due to an adductor injury.

Stojković Being Saved for Viking, Perez-Vinlöf Ready

Kovačević confirmed at the press conference that Stojković hasn't trained and won't be in the squad for Rudeš. "I hope he'll be fine. He hasn't trained and won't be in the squad. Perez-Vinlöf also had injury issues, but he's trained and will be in the lineup. We won't push Stojković; there's no need. The most important thing is that he's ready for Viking," said the Dinamo coach for 24sata.

Perez-Vinlöf thus returns to the squad after injury troubles, while Stojković is being saved for the Champions League playoff match against Viking, scheduled for Tuesday.

Kovačević on Goalkeepers: "We All Make Mistakes, There's No Panic"

A special topic was the goalkeeper situation. Ivan Nevistić is expected to start against Viking in place of the suspended Filipović, and Kovačević emphasized that he talks to everyone daily. "Nevistić has quality; he was in a crisis, so we changed him. He's working well and trying hard. Zagorac is also here; I don't doubt the quality of our goalkeepers. They're not here for nothing. A minor crisis can happen, but I've never doubted their quality," said Kovačević.

Asked about the shadow of former goalkeeper Livaković, the coach stressed: "We talk a lot with everyone. Of course, negativity affects them, but my job as a coach is to encourage and help them. We all want more and better, but with these goalkeepers, we've been on a winning streak for a while, and I don't see any panic. We all make mistakes, but there have been more good things. I don't doubt our goalkeepers; I believe in Filipović, regardless of what happened in Kaunas, as well as in Nevistić, Zagorac... They're not new here; I believe they'll bounce back and show they deserve to be here."

Mudražija Stays in the Squad, Rudeš Underestimated?

Kovačević also addressed the situation with Robert Mudražija, who was rumored to be going out on loan. "There were talks about him going on loan, but he's still here with us. We didn't register him for the European match, so he wasn't in the squad, but he'll be in the squad against Rudeš," the coach explained.

Regarding the opponent, Kovačević doesn't underestimate Rudeš, a team returning to the top flight that has conceded eight goals in the first two rounds against Rijeka and Osijek. "Rudeš hasn't started the season well; they've conceded eight goals, but there were also good segments of play, especially against Osijek before they fell apart. We approach every match seriously. We know they'll defend and focus on counterattacks. It's important to be patient, to play attacking football, and to score as soon as possible. They'll certainly try to threaten us on the counter; that's the kind of match I expect," Kovačević concluded.

Charity Campaign and Film Premiere

Beyond the sporting side, Dinamo is also active in charity. Dinamo's Nema predaje Foundation and GNK Dinamo are again joining the charity campaign of Bruno Lerotić and Team nenormalni. Last year, they equipped more than 1,800 students together, and this year the campaign continues. Donations of school bags, notebooks, pencil cases, and art supplies 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 to 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.

Additionally, on August 13, 2026, at 8:00 PM on Dinamo Plus and at 9:00 PM on YouTube, the film about last season, titled "Povratak kralja" (The Return of the King), premiered.