Dinamo are off to a perfect start in Europa League this campaign after locking up their second straight 3-1 victory Thursday night; this time vs. Maccabi Tel Aviv. Dinamo currently sit atop the League Phase table with six matches remaining. Still a long way to go but their next match vs. Swedish side Malmo on October 23rd could start separating them from the pack as Malmo have yet to record a point in Europe this season.
Dinamo still have to play two matches against La Liga clubs: Real Betis and Celta Vigo. They also have a game in France vs. Lille. But outside of that, they are expected to get results against the likes of FCSB and Midtjylland.
Dejan Ljubičić starred for Dinamo, scoring twice in the game which included a wonderful shot in the 2nd half curling it in from 19 yards out. Mateo Lisica scored a top-shelf banger in the 1st half to equalize the game at 1-1.
Dinamo is flying this season — domestically and in Europe!
Thats it for ivanovic..mourinho getting benzema.
They really need full points vs Malmo as after it is
Celta (H)
Lille (A)
Real Betis (h)
I don’t foresee them picking up any points in these 3 games
Tough games coming up but Dinamo looks very organized. They are also dangerous on the wings and Beljo looks like he can sniff ugly goals. Wouldn’t be surprised if they get a result at one of their home games.
You’re being too pessimistic.
Teams are losing points to underdogs all across these Europa games.
Betis was lucky to draw Forest at home…who themselves lost at home to Midtylland.
Celta Vigo lost to Stuttgart, and Stuttgart finished behind Dinamo in last year’s Champions League.
I think the Lille game will be the most difficult, as it is an away game and Lille did very well in Europa last year (so I assume their team hasn’t changed much). But Dinamo will likely score points in the other two in Maksimir.
Either way, you only need 11 points to advance… and Dinamo already has six.
Dinamo will be the favorite against Malmo and Bucharest.
Dinamo should also get some points in their other four games (Celta, Lille, Betis, Midtylland) even though they may not need it.
Also, Bennacer will be back on the Europa squad in January too.
Also, Red Star play in Porto today same with as DZ, so presumably the Red Star ultras will be preoccupied with Portugal, they should have made Partizan play a friendly in a different country today too, so their ultras would also be preoccupied
*same time
*in Portugal
x.com/HNS_CFF/status/1973716922173894729
Bradaric called up (after Anonymous highlighted him back in September)
The more Anonymous thinks about it – the more Anonymous thinks Dalic should change to a back 3 (5) before the WC – yes, it didn’t work in that one game he tried bc it was a one off with limited training in advance, he didn’t have the personnel, and everyone was confused with sudden change in shape – but the below gets our 3 1/2 best CB (Stanisic is the 1/2) on the field at the same time – and importantly adds Vuskovic elite elite aerially ability to our defence but also offensively
RBW [Stanisic]
RCB Sutalo
CB/Sweeper Vuskovic [not Sweeper in the Jerkan 96 role, but Sweeper in the sense that he has freedom to move to attack any aerial threat]
LCB Gvardiol
LBW [Bradaric]
If Sutalo doesn’t play enough/doesn’t have a good season – than you put Stanisic in the RCB position and someone else (like a Valincic) in the RBW slot (JJ the back-up)
It would coincidently also be poetic / full circle back to Euro 1996 and 98 WC back (3)5 formation
There has been no need for Dalic to tweak the back 4 – but giving Vuskovic’s arrival on scene – he needs to adapt the formation to strength of what’s available to him (any good manager would)
Dalic already used back 3 in multiple matches recently. If we use back 3 it means perisic is wingback
From what I have seen in the media no fans will be allowed at the match.
I hope that Dinamo can win but a draw would not be a disaster.
Not much has been written recently on the Brazilian kid Belhino. I saw an article on him a few days ago, the kid is 16 and together with his father has stated that he wants to play for Croatia. He plays for Dinamo and has been living in Croatia with his father for a couple of years? the kid is super talented.
Apparently, Belhino will get his Croatian citizenship later this year.
According to FIFA rules, if you do not have any heritage links to a country you must spend 5 years living in a country before being able to represent that country at international level.
The 5-year rule applies to senior and youth players. That means that we have to wait another 3 years before he plays for us? it’s a big if, because Brazil has been in touch with his father and are trying to persuade him and the son to play for Brazil.
He has been in Croatia longer than that
He’s been in Croatia over 4 years. I think he’s something like 6 months away from being eligible for citizenship.