Kauno Žalgiris coach Željko Sopić has announced the return leg against Dinamo without illusions of advancing, but with a clear desire for his team to show their true face and enjoy the match against such a strong opponent.
After a heavy 5:0 defeat at Maksimir, Lithuanian champions Kauno Žalgiris quickly recovered and beat Hegelmann 2:0 in the domestic league, taking over the top of the table. The coach from Kaunas, Željko Sopić, is satisfied with his players' response, and ahead of Tuesday's return leg against Dinamo, he does not hide that advancing is nearly an impossible mission.
Sopić was completely honest when discussing his team's chances of a comeback. "It would be stupid to say we'll come back after a 0:5 loss. I'm not that kind of person. However, we've secured a spot in European competition, and that's why the most important thing for me is that the boys enjoy the game. Also, we need to show that we're not as bad a team as we looked in Zagreb," said Sopić.
The Croatian tactician at the helm of the Lithuanian champions admitted that the conditions in Zagreb were too much for his side. "I think the atmosphere, the pressure, and the quality of the players in Zagreb made us look small. I'm convinced we can play better. The next match in the Top Liga is now important to us. I'm not saying the match against Dinamo isn't important and that we won't give our all, but we have to think about the future," he explained. Sopić further emphasized that his team has already secured participation in one of the European competitions, so regardless of the outcome of the clash with Dinamo, they will continue their European season.
Sopić made a special appeal to Kauno Žalgiris fans, urging them to come to the stadium regardless of the result from the first leg. "We love the club when it wins and when it loses. Together we beat a team from the Faroe Islands, and together we lost to a stronger opponent. I'm from Zagreb, and I can say that Dinamo is the strongest team in this qualifying round," he said.
He added that he believes the Zagreb club will play in the Champions League and that this is currently too high a step for his team. "They'll probably play in the Champions League, so maybe this is too high a step for us right now, but we've come this far and we have to enjoy it. I invite the fans to come to the stadium and enjoy, because usually you can only see such strong teams on TV, and now is a good time to come and show your support for Kauno Žalgiris," concluded Sopić.
Meanwhile, Dinamo's expedition has already arrived in Lithuania. The club posted photos from the trip on social media with messages like "✈️ mod on, direction ➡️ 🇱🇹" and later "We've landed," with photos taken by club photographer Luka Stanzl.
On the same day, Dinamo officially confirmed the departure of striker Mounsef Bakrar. "You thought we forgot, but how could we forget 18 goals in a season? Now it's official: Mounsef Bakrar is no longer a GNK Dinamo player, and he will continue his career at Egyptian club Al Ahly," the club announced, along with a message of thanks and wishes for success in his new environment.
