The former Modri player analyzed the start of the season, Oršić's return, and the goalkeeper situation, with special praise for homegrown talent Kačavenda. He also warned about the departure of talents from the league and predicted a tough clash with Viking.
Dinamo's footballers successfully navigated the opening challenges of the new season, and former club player Mihael Mikić shared his views on the current state of affairs at Maksimir with Sportske novosti. His extensive analysis touched on the team's form, the return of a legend, the goalkeeper dilemma, and the broader picture of domestic football, which seriously concerns him.
Mikić believes the team has entered the season well, achieving everything that was planned. "The start of the season is painted in bright colors; everything that was planned has been accomplished. The team has gained confidence, especially after the high and convincing victory against the Lithuanians, who, let's be honest, are still two quality classes below Dinamo's level," Mikić said for Sportske novosti. Although they struggled against Thun in the opening Champions League qualifiers (1:1 and 3:2 after extra time), the former player believes this is not unusual: "Every European season has problems at the very start; it wasn't anything alarming."
Mikić also commented on the squad, noting that Bakrar's departure is a loss, but he sees the return of Mislav Oršić as a great gain. "Oršić is back, a true club legend, and I believe that in the coming period, Oršić will rediscover that playing and scoring form that delighted us before he left Maksimir," he emphasized. He was particularly emotional when speaking about a homegrown player. "I am especially glad that Kačavenda, our local lad, is coming back in the right way," he added, stressing that this summer they did not repeat last year's mistakes when players were brought in who blocked the path for talents from their own academy. He also praised Valinčić and expressed hope that an alternative for Mišić will be found so he can get the necessary rest.
Mikić is particularly critical of the period when the club had problems registering enough homegrown players for European competitions, which, as he says, "has never happened in Maksimir before." As a painful example of misguided policy, he cited the winter departure of Dinamo's youth player Branko Pavić, who now plays successfully for Rijeka. He praised the re-establishment of the B team and sent a clear message to the management. "Dinamo must, simply must, introduce and promote two or three players from its academy every year; it must stand behind them. Because, without its own players in the first team, Dinamo loses its identity, which has been built over the years, and loses its reputation and 'brand' in Europe," he asserted. As world-class examples that emerged from Dinamo, he listed Modrić, Kovačić, Gvardiol, Olmo, Majer, Ivanušec, Šutalo, and Baturina, insisting that the club must remain recognizable for consistently producing top talents.
Commenting on the hottest topic, the goalkeeper position, Mikić defended Filipović. "Okay, we know Livaković's class, and everything should be done to bring him in. However, if that intention fails, why shouldn't Filipović be the one? Why shouldn't the club clearly and loudly stand behind Filipović? I believe that this goalkeeper has the necessary quality for Dinamo and could be the solution," he said. He identified the quartet of Mišić, Zajc, Stojković, Beljo as the strongest part of the team, adding that with Livaković, it would be a quintet that carries the game. Comparing this team to last year's, Mikić says: "It seems to me that it's 'about the same'; the team is of similar quality."
Mikić also commented on the upcoming Champions League playoff against Norwegian champions Viking. "Viking is an unknown to me; I don't know much about them, but we see how Scandinavian football has progressed, especially Norwegian football; the Norwegians were excellent at the World Cup. It will be two tough tests for the Blues, but I believe that our positive tradition in matches against Scandinavian teams will continue, and that Dinamo will secure a place in the Champions League," he stated. Finally, he touched on the quality of the domestic league, which he believes will continue its negative trend. "Our league is 'thin' in quality; we are not heading in a good direction. It makes me sad to see, for example, one of our greatest talents from Lokomotiva leaving for an average Czech club, I'm thinking of Krivak's transfer to Sigma!" concluded Mikić, warning that young players are increasingly leaving for the Czech Republic, Poland, and Slovakia because domestic clubs are too weak financially to keep them.
