Fans 'Wash' Oršić After 2:2 Draw with Viking
Dinamo squandered a 2-0 lead against Viking at Maksimir in the first leg of the Champions League playoff, with the return match set for August 26 in Stavanger.
Dinamo squandered a 2-0 lead against Viking at Maksimir in the first leg of the Champions League playoff, with the return match set for August 26 in Stavanger.
Dinamo drew 2:2 against Norwegian side Viking in the first leg of the final qualifying round for the Champions League at Maksimir, despite having a two-goal lead after just ten minutes. The return leg is scheduled for August 26 in Stavanger.
The Blues took the lead in the sixth minute with a goal from Dion Beljo, and just four minutes later Mateo Lisica made it 2:0. However, Peter Christiansen pulled one back in the 26th minute, and Zlatko Tripić equalized in the 39th. There were no more goals in the second half.
The match unsurprisingly sparked a flood of comments on social media, with Mislav Oršić bearing the brunt of the criticism. "What has Oršić done to deserve playing almost the entire match? The guy looks semi-professional," was one comment from disappointed fans. Another added: "I don't get it, he keeps Oršić on for 80 minutes, he lost at least 10 balls, playing with a man down."
Some fans also blamed coach Kovačević. "If anyone is to blame for this result, it's Kovačević. Doesn't that man learn anything from what he's seen in the matches they've played so far?" read one comment. Others were even harsher: "If we get into the Champions League, our goal difference will be 2:99," while another said: "We're attacking the Champions League with Prevljak, Mudražija, and Kačavenda?! Unbelievable."
Fans also reflected on missed chances. "What a shame, these guys were ripe for five goals, if only Zajc's shot off the post had gone in at 2:0," was one comment. Others added: "This should have been won, they were ripe for a thrashing" and "What a shame, they were ripe, but we were immature." Some were pessimistic about the European campaign: "If we're being realistic, this Dinamo isn't for the Champions League, and worst of all, neither is Viking" and "Half of Dinamo's team plays amateur football, that is, the team isn't good enough to play in Europe." One fan said: "I'll just say well done because you're not worth me getting worked up, and I honestly hope we don't make the Champions League because it won't end well for us there."
After Luka Stojković got injured, coach Mario Kovačević brought on Robert Mudražija, who played 22 minutes. Mudražija was only registered for this match late, as he had been left off the A-list for the qualifiers against Thun and Žalgiris. He earned his chance after a good performance against Rudeš, where he came off the bench, played about thirty minutes, provided an assist, and nearly scored. Against Viking, he brought some liveliness and took most of the set pieces, but the third goal just wouldn't come.
After the match, Mudražija said: "A great start to the game, we scored two goals and had Stojković's shot off the post. But we conceded cheap goals after those clearance attempts, and that's where their quality showed." He added: "We had good chances in the second half, and we can be satisfied with that. Viking is a strong team, well organized, but we know our qualities and I believe we showed in this match that we are the better team."
RTL Danas reporter Boris Jovičić reported from Maksimir ahead of the match, and the official GNK Dinamo profile posted a photo with the message "Only 20 more minutes ⏰" credited to photographer Luka Stanzl.
