45′ Beljo pulls one back for Dinamo at the strike off halftime with an easy tap-in in front of the Genk goal. Absolute perfect pass from Fran Topić to make it happen. Genk dominated the entire 1st half but Dinamo will be happy to only be down a goal at this point.
Dinamo received a fantastic draw in being paired with Belgian club Genk in the Europa League playoff round. The two clubs will face off against each other across two legs for a spot in the Round of 16.
Leg 1 kicks off at Maksimir Thursday night. Livaković will return to goal for Dinamo in European action for the first time since his return. Beljo, Hoxha and Topić will start in attack for Dinamo on a cold and rainy night in Zagreb.
Good 1 – 0 away win by Rijeka although it has to be said with a bit of good fortune. Omonia missed some good chances in the match and then in the 86th minute Adu scored for Rijeka with a beautiful back heal flick on the near post.
Adu is on loan to Rijeka from Bournemouth.
Toni Fruk was a bit disappointing for Rijeka and got subbed midway through the second half. Not sure that he is national team material ?
Barisic played well at right back and saved a certain goal in the 9th minute when he slid in to block a shot on empty goal. He did pick up a yellow card and was very lucky not to pick up his second yellow in the second half for a silly foul and was smartly subbed immediately after.
That sucks 3-1 for Genk. It makes their second leg that much tougher.
We are hurting in the striker department.
I don’t really like Beljo from the two matches I have seen him in. He is nothing special.
Stojković is very good. Mišić is great as CDM.
For the call ups those two seem to be very good as options.
As far as strikers go the only ones that I can see going forward are Matanović, Budimir, and potentially Musa. I am not sure where Ivanovic sits right now pecking order, but he hasn’t played much it seems.
Bad start to the match by Dinamo proved very costly. Losing 3 -1 at home means it is all over.
Hopefully Rijeka will do better against Omonia?
I am really surprised Mišić has never gotten a call up from Dalic. He is really good from what I see. Great clearance there under pressure from Genk.
He has good vision and skill on the ball.
It must be because he does not play in a top five league.
Last ten minutes of the first half a lot better from Dinamo after a poor start to the match. Beljo has picked up a yellow card, his second in Europe this campaign meaning that he misses the return leg.
Not looking good for Dinamo 20 minutes in and already 2 – 0 down.
Genk look a very good team.