The night Dinamo beat Arsenal...

Stadium Maksimir, 16.9.2015.

UEFA Champions league, group F, round 1.

GNK Dinamo – Arsenal FC 2:1 (1:0)

Referees: Ovidiu Haţegan, Octavian Șovre, Sebastian Gheorghe, Radu Ghinguleac, 1. DPS: Alexandru Tudor, 2. DPS: Sebastian Colţescu (all Romania)

Attendance:  17840

Dinamo: Eduardo – Pinto, Sigali, Taravel, Pivarić – Ademi, Machado, Antolić (82.. Rog) – Soudani, Fernandes (74. Ćorić) – Pjaca (88. Benković)

Arsenal: Ospina – Debuchy, Gabriel, Koscielny, Gibbs (64. Campbell) – Cazorla, Arteta (64. Coquelin) – Oxlade-Chamberlain (64. Walcott), Ozil, Sanchez - Giroud

Yellow cards: Antolić (27.), Pinto (66.), Rog (90.) / Giroud (23. i 39.), Campbell (87.)

Red card: Giroud (39.)

Goals: 1:0 Pivarić (24.), 2:0 Fernandes (58.) / 2:1 Walcott (79.)

This is how 16. September 2015. will be written down in history. In a fantastic atmosphere in front of 18 thousand delighted fans Dinamo played a brilliant game and thanks to goals from Pivarić and Fernandes beat Arsenal at the opening of the Champions league.

From the start of the game Dinamo looked like a team which knows what they want and certainly – how to get it. Modri were full of confidence and ready for a miracle; for "David to beat Goliath". Coach Mamić decided for Soudani, Fernandes and Pjaca, three fast players in front, with a firm block in the midfield; where Arsenal likes to dominate.

The Gunners had their first chance in the 9th minute after a header from Giroud but Eduardo made a great save. Few minutes later Modri had a bit of luck when again Giroud hit the post and in the 24th minute – Modri took the lead. Soudani made a pass to Pivarić who ran in to the box, Ospina saved his first attempt but not the second one and Dinamo was in front.

Arsenal had more possesion but Dinamo never looked afraid or backed down to their own box. Modri were concentrated in defence and each chance they've got dangerous in attack. To make things even better few minutes before halftime Giroud received his second yellow card and Arsenal went to halftime break with a goal and man down.

Things almost got a lot worse for Wenger's side at the start of the second half when Soudani had a great chance after a corner but his first attempt hit the post and the next one went beside it. Modri continued to push forward, Fernandes had the next chance which Debuchy blocked but it was just a slight delay. Machado made a cross, Fernandes jumped and in the 58th minute headed the ball to the net for 2:0 lead. Half an hour from time Modri had a two goal lead against Arsenal, extra man and the best thing was: it was all well deserved.

Wenger made all three subs to change the rhytm and he managed to get one right. Walcott who played last half an hour escaped Dinamo's defensive line in the 79th minute and placed the ball in the net but nothing could've ruin Dinamo's celebration. Modri kept their lead until the final whistle and even youngster Ćorić had a 100% chance to score the third but Ospina saved Arsenal from a bigger defeat. But – two goals were enough.

Enough for dreams to become reality. Dinamo opened the Champions league with a win and three points to continue their amazing streak without a loss to 42 competitive games. Next stop – Hajduk away.