Valinčić Dismisses Reports of Interest from France and Italy
Dinamo's right-back says he is fully focused on tomorrow's Champions League qualifier against Kauno Žalgiris.
Dinamo's right-back says he is fully focused on tomorrow's Champions League qualifier against Kauno Žalgiris.
Ahead of the first leg of the third qualifying round for the Champions League, Dinamo's head coach Mario Kovačević and right-back Moris Valinčić spoke to the media at Maksimir on August 3, 2026. The focus was on expectations for the clash with Lithuanian side Kauno Žalgiris, as well as the transfer speculation that has surrounded Valinčić's name in recent days.
Coach Kovačević is aware of his team's favorite status ahead of the match, which kicks off at Maksimir on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at 8:00 PM. "We are favorites on paper, but we need to prove it on the pitch," he told HRT Sport, emphasizing that nothing is taken for granted.
Valinčić elaborated on what the team aims to achieve: "We want to start the match well, build through it, and win. Any victory is welcome, along with a clean sheet, but first and foremost, we want to start the match well."
Italian insider Gianluca Di Marzio reported on July 30, 2026, significant interest in Valinčić, mentioning Marseille and months-long monitoring by Inter and Napoli. When directly asked about a potential transfer, the young full-back declined to go into details.
"I've always given my maximum, sometimes better, sometimes worse. I always expect the best from myself and much more if I want to develop. As for the transfer, I have nothing to add; I'm completely focused on tomorrow's match," Valinčić stated.
The return leg in Lithuania takes place a week later, on August 11, 2026, at 7:00 PM. Valinčić stressed that the team is thinking only step by step, not getting ahead of themselves with thoughts of the play-off.
"Before the play-off, we have three matches. We must first win at Maksimir, then in Lithuania, and then win in the league. That's still far away; we shouldn't rush. We need to analyze the opponent well and prepare mentally, but the most important thing is to win the upcoming match," Valinčić concluded before joining his teammates for training.
