WRITTEN BY ANTE BARIČEVIĆ FOR CSR
The matchup everybody has been waiting for is almost upon us when world-class giants, Real Madrid, come to Zagreb Wednesday night at Maksimir stadium in front of an expected crowd of 30,000. Tickets for the game range anywhere from 600kn on up! (approx. $110) The lead-up up to this game and media coverage in Croatia has not been seen in a very long time.
Real Madrid is one of the greatest and most successful soccer clubs in Europe with an all-star roster featuring one of the world’s greatest players, Cristiano Ronaldo, Brazilian Marcelo, along with Spanish defender Sergio Ramos and goalie Iker Casillas, to name a few. It comes as no shock that Real is undoubtedly heavily favored against Dinamo in the opening match of group play. Real Madrid manager, Jose Mourinho, will be in Zagreb but not in attendance at Maksimir during the game due to personal reasons.
Let’s be clear: Dinamo will need nothing short than an absolute miracle to pull off the upset against the all-star squad from Madrid. Coming off of a 1:1 draw against Hajduk in Split last weekend, Dinamo needs to bounce back more than ever to prepare for what most call the most important game in Dinamo’s history. Reports from multiple media outlets indicate that Real will dominate Dinamo in every aspect of the game. If history has any merit for Wednesday night’s game, then it is on Dinamo’s side. Dinamo beat Real 4:3 back in 1974 in Spain.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FOOTBALL RETURNS TO MAKSIMIR
You do not have to be Jose Mourinho to know that Dinamo’s defense will have their hands full with Real Madrid, despite Dinamo adding Australian-Croatian Josip Šimunić to a defense consisting of Tonel and Domagoj Vida, who has easily been Dinamo’s best player this season. The main weakness that Real will most likely exploit from the Purgeri will be Dinamo’s lack of attack and goal scoring. While Sammir is currently Dinamo’s best striker, he has looked shaky as of late. In order for Dinamo to compete with Real Madrid, the goal scoring from Ante Rukavina and Fatos Beciraj must be present, without missing any easy shots- if given any. If there was a time to shine for young wunderkind Mateo Kovačić, this game is it. Dinamo’s offense will have to fire on all cylinders (and more) to somewhat break the formidable Madrid defense with goalie Iker Casillas protecting the net.
The atmosphere at Maksimir will again be without the Bad Blue Boys. The Bad Blue boys recently ended their boycott of the club and are now only focusing on domestic league games to prove they are there to only support Dinamo and not Dinamo’s opponent, as demonstrated by the majority of the other ‘average’ Dinamo supporters.
Prediction:
Real Madrid 3
Dinamo Zagreb 1
Ante B.’s pre-game moment of reflection: The world won’t end if Dinamo wins, but sobriety will.
Oh man, 33rd minute… Rukavina all alone and…. denied.
BEAUTIFUL SAVEE!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hmmm, maybe I've been too harsh on Rukavina… that was a nice run and quick pass to earn Dinamo a corner. (12th minute.)
anyone have any other links besides the myp2p its not working for the dinamo game
http://www.firstrowsports.tv/watch/83671/1/watch-dinamo-zagreb-vs-real-madrid.html
Links links links?
http://www.hrsport.net/live/45659
Kelava
Ibanez
Vida
Tonel
Tomecak
Calell
Leko
Kovacic
Sammir
Badelj
Rukavina
Dinamo setting up a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Bench (as per Uefa)
Puljic
Situm
Pokrivac
Morales
Beqiraj
Krstanovic
Word is Kovacic will start for Dinamo. I love this move, if true.
Don't care at all about his lack of experience.
http://www.vecernji.hr/sport/vijesti/tamburasi-2-sata-ujutro-budili-realovce-clanak-326900
I cannot wait for this game to begin, even if the BBB aren't there. I'm even more excited for the Varteks Varazdin game next week!
If Dinamo beats Real today and somehow pulls off the biggest upset ever, well……I can't even think about what I'm going to do. E brate kad puknem…
Still anticipating a Real victory though since they're one of, if not the, top club in the world.
VOLIM TE DINAMO!!!!! I NAPRIJED PLAVI!!
Simunic would not have made a difference anyway, except in the yellow card category.
Simunic is suspended for this match anyways, so it's all irrelevant.
Game will be on Sportsnet HD in Canada. No SAAN.Tv for me.
Has the line-up been revealed yet?
Does the game start at 10:30am Pacific time
@ziva,
Yes, how could I forget about Kovacic. I'm sure Mamic will throw him on the big stage with the world watching.
@Tom,
I was a huge fan of Simunic since the Euro 2004 days. Even after joe had a terrible tournament against England and France. No "bitterness" from me. Last week for the Cro-Israel match I wore my Simunic away shirt. Joe can hang in the HNL and against slower European teams(if there are any left in this competition). No way Simunic can be effective against a quick and talented Real Madrid. I would rather have a young but inexperienced Vida out there.
@anonymous,
Jurcic = average manager. Good enough for HNL. Good enough for Dinamo 🙂
I pray to god that Jurcic isnt the next Cro manager. I would rather bring back a 90 year old Otto Baric 🙂
Jurcic studied Mourhino's plays and tactics for many years. Let's see if he has the skills to follow through on his knowledge. If so, he may be the next NT coach.
Leko will have to play a much, much larger role than he did in Split on Saturday and he'll have to show some leadership. He was basically invisible against hajduk.
What's up with Joe? Denis, do I detect a hint of bitterness? I dunno, I think Dinamo will miss his mastery of the "professional foul."
@Denis…..agreed, I am interested to see how the hrvati on dinamo who ahave national team potential. Vida, Badelj and if Kovacic gets in.
@ziva
I hear you. I know it's a stretch.
Without Vrsaljko it will be difficult. Simunic is old news. Dinamo should save him for the hnl. I'm interested to see how Badelj and my boy Vida do against the worlds best. We all know that Rukavina, Beciraj, and Krstanovic wont score unless they get a "mario Mandzukic goal." Maybe they can practice that set-piece.
I have 3-1 with Sammir coming through to keep Bilic wondering. (Trying to jinx the Brazilian born croat)
4:0 Real…Mourinho's sides usually don't underestimate anybody (Villarreal did last season). I say this because Dinamo's defese is somewhat decimated for this match. No Simunic, no Vrsaljko and now no Cufre who has CL experience. We will be playing with inexperienced wingbacks. Tonel and Vida need to have a big game as well as Leko/Calello in the defensive midfield mode.
I'd be shocked if they lost 5-0. It's not like Real Madrid always win their games 5-0, even against much lesser clubs. To Real, this is the equivalent of when Dinamo plays and opening round game in the CL qualifying against a team from Khazaktan. They have no clue about the team. So, Real won't be up for this game, we all know Dinamo will be. I see a much closer game than a 5-0 scoreline.
Dinamo gets you +1400 to 1. If you put down a dollar on this game, I would not be mad at you/call you a fool.
I'll go conservative and say 2-0. A lot of pride for the players coming into this game. But, if I were to just guess without any bias, I'd probably go 5-0. A mixture of inexperience, nerves, and god knows what else they'll succumb to.
I got Real Madrid 4-0. They are in a different class and I firmly believe they are the second best team in the world, behind Barca.