Expert commentator Rajko Magić believes the return leg against Kaunas is a formality, but stresses the importance of a win for confidence and the coefficient, and anticipates rotation ahead of the clash with Viking.
Dinamo's footballers play the return leg of their Champions League qualifier against Kaunas in Lithuania this evening. After a convincing 5-0 victory at Maksimir, progression to the play-off round is practically secured, but expert commentator Rajko Magić warns that the Blues must not take this match lightly.
Magić, a coach with extensive experience and a lecturer at the Croatian Football Federation Academy, emphasized in an interview with Dnevno.hr that the players and coach Mario Kovačević should view this match as a reward. "The players, along with the coach, must see this game as a reward, so that after the frantic start to the season, they can finally play one match without pressure," said Magić.
He also reminded of the tough start to the season. "Dinamo had to be very good right from the start of the season, despite certain difficulties-well, not exactly difficulties, as it was tight against Thun-but now we can say that everything has been done as the club wanted," he added.
Magić expects Kovačević to take the opportunity to rest the key players and give minutes to those who have played less so far. "A win is necessary not only to maintain confidence, but also important for building the coefficient. True, Kovačević will, I'm sure, shake up the team a bit. That's understandable-there are good players in Dinamo who are getting limited minutes," he pointed out.
He also stressed the importance of squad depth for the demanding schedule ahead. "And they need to be brought up to speed for the grueling season ahead; you need around twenty players in optimal form. In this match rhythm, you have to find time to refresh the best and most regular starters. That's why I expect Kovačević to include some of those we haven't seen often so far," Magić said.
Asked whether there is any threat from the Lithuanian side, Magić was clear. "In my personal opinion-no. Our clubs, as Hajduk has confirmed, are far better than the Lithuanian ones. The only danger in this match is if Dinamo approach it not just carefree, but irresponsibly. This is a match where Dinamo will be the only ones who decide everything," he said.
While tonight's match in Kaunas, Lithuania's second-largest city, is mostly a formality, Dinamo is already preparing for their next opponent in the Champions League play-off round-Viking from Stavanger. "Oh yes, and that's natural. Viking is an excellent team with exceptional work ethic. And they have exactly the same ambition as Dinamo, and rightfully so. The Norwegians also want the Champions League. It will be a very interesting match, a real treat. Two styles of football but the same ambition. So early in the season, yet it's the climax-truly exciting," Magić concluded for Dnevno.hr.
Dinamo has shared the atmosphere from Kaunas on social media, where fans gathered on the iconic Laisvės alėja, and photos from the team's arrival at the stadium were credited to club photographer Luka Stanzl.
