Dinamo Fans Restrained
Dinamo beat Kauno Žalgiris 2-1 with a man down to secure a Champions League playoff spot, but fans on social media didn't hide their concerns about the performance and the goalkeeper situation.
Dinamo beat Kauno Žalgiris 2-1 with a man down to secure a Champions League playoff spot, but fans on social media didn't hide their concerns about the performance and the goalkeeper situation.
GNK Dinamo secured a place in the Champions League qualifiers playoff round. In the return leg of the third qualifying round played on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, the Zagreb side defeated Lithuanian side Kauno Žalgiris 2-1 in Kaunas, which, combined with the 7-1 win at Maksimir, was more than enough to advance.
Dinamo took the lead in the 19th minute with a goal from Lukas Kačavenda, and in the 56th minute captain Josip Mišić made it 2-0. However, the match took an unexpected turn when goalkeeper Ivan Filipović was shown a red card, leaving his team with a man down for the remainder of the match.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, the 'Blues' held on to their lead and secured the win, but the performance on the pitch didn't impress part of the fan base, who shared their comments on social media.
The comments were anything but euphoric. One fan briefly commented: "A match won with too much difficulty." Another was far more critical: "With this approach, we have no business against the Norwegians," alluding to the next opponent, Norwegian side Viking FK.
Some tried to find the positives: "The qualification was never in doubt, and it's good that we got the win as well. And due to circumstances, we also managed to test playing with a man down. Bravo Dinamo!" while another added: "A routine win. Now come the matches that really matter."
Filipović's sending-off reopened the debate about the goalkeeper position. One of the most vocal comments was: "What else has to happen for Livaković to come?" while another warned: "We urgently need a quality goalkeeper, or it will be tough against the Norwegians."
Some were even more direct in their criticism: "How can one completely unnecessary piece of stupidity ruin an easy win." One fan summed up his impressions with: "Well, Mišić scored. That's it."
The match in Kaunas will also be remembered for the debut of the new away kit. Dinamo played in white for the first time in 21 years, which didn't go unnoticed by the fans. "Finally, the whites won away in Europe," was one of the comments.
The next hurdle on the road to the Champions League is Norwegian side Viking FK. The first leg of the playoff will be played at Maksimir Stadium on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. The club has already announced ticket sales details. The priority window for members runs from Wednesday, August 12, to Thursday, August 13, while general sale begins on Friday, August 14. Prices for the West lower tier are €23 for members and €28 for other fans, while the North lower tier is priced at €12 and reserved exclusively for club members.
