The Maksimir favorite has a chance to become Dinamo's all-time top scorer in European matches against Norwegian side Viking, while the club simultaneously launches a humanitarian campaign for schoolchildren.
Mislav Oršić is back in his natural habitat. The Champions League playoff, a stage where Dinamo's legend has felt the pressure and allure of elite competition five times in the past seven years, is once again before him. After the 'Blues' knocked out Thun and Kauno Žalgiris, the 33-year-old now has the opportunity to write a new chapter in his own history.
Oršić currently shares the title of Dinamo's top scorer in international matches with Bruno Petković. Both have scored 28 goals for the club from Maksimir. One ball past the Norwegian goalkeeper separates Oršić from sole glory at the top of the all-time list.
Oršić perfected his recipe for European goals precisely in the playoffs, especially against Norwegian clubs. He scored against Young Boys in 2018, Rosenborg in 2019, and Bodø/Glimt in 2022. The only team that 'survived' was Sheriff in 2021, when Dinamo failed to score in either leg. His last playoff battle was last summer with Pafos against Red Star Belgrade, when the Cypriots secured a spot among Europe's elite.
So far this season, Oršić has yet to score or assist in five appearances. In Kaunas against Žalgiris, he played the full match, and in the first half, he exuded energy and dribbled through his zone. After half an hour, he unleashed a powerful shot towards goal, but the Lithuanian goalkeeper saved his comeback opener. A minute later, Josip Mišić was more clinical and scored. Oršić and Arbër Hoxha on the left side of the attack are still waiting for their first goal or assist of the season.
Coach Mario Kovačević has given him every opportunity to regain form, and Oršić has been preferred over Hoxha in the starting lineup. Even in his first stint, Oršić had a slower start. In his first six appearances, he scored one goal, and by Christmas, he had six. Nenad Bjelica spoke after the Thun match about how Oršić needs time to reach his optimal working temperature. For wingers and dynamic players like him, freshness after preseason is often crucial.
Last season in Cyprus, Oršić specialized in assists, recording exactly 16 of them. He also added four goals, the last of which came in late January this year against Slavia Prague in the Champions League round of 16. Due to his experience, history, and the expectations of his comeback season, the 33-year-old currently holds the 'pole position' for the left wing against Viking.
In parallel with the football excitement, Dinamo's foundation 'Nema predaje' and GNK Dinamo are once again joining the humanitarian campaign of Bruno Lerotić and Team Nenormalni. Last year, they equipped more than 1,800 students together, and this year they are doing it again.
"A pencil case, a pencil, a notebook, or a bag - to us it's a small thing, to someone it's everything," Dinamo stated on their official Twitter profile.
Donations can be brought to Dinamo's fan zone on August 18 before the Dinamo - Viking match, on August 22 before the Dinamo - Varaždin match, at Days of Maksimir from August 19 to 23, and at the tournament 'Živim svoj san' in Vukovina on August 23. Donations can also be sent to the address: Darija Drnić, Ulica Slavka Kolara 18, Kuče, 10419 Vukovina.
"Nema predaje - ni u školi!" (No giving up - not even in school!), the club added.
