Brave game against Real but points go to Madrid

UEFA Champions league, group D, 1. round, 14.9.2011.

Stadium Maksimir, Zagreb

GNK Dinamo - Real Madrid 0:1 (0:0)

Spectators: 27.738

Referees: Svein Oddvar Moen, Dag-Roger Nebben, Kim Thomas Haglund, Dag Vidar Hafsas, Brage Sandmoen (all Norway)

Dinamo: Kelava - Tomečak, Tonel, Vida, Ibanez - Calello (86. Šitum), Leko, Badelj, Sammir, Kovačić (62. Pokrivač) - Rukavina (75. Beqiraj)

Real Madrid: Casillas - Ramos, Pepe, Carvalho, Coentrao - Xabi Alonso, Marcelo, Ozil (78. Higuain) - Di Maria (78. Diarra), Ronaldo, Benzema (82. Arbeola)

Yellow cards: Leko (38.), Pokrivač (65.) / Marcelo (58.,73.), Pepe (90.+2)

Red card: Marcelo (73.)

Goal: 0:1 Di Maria (52.) 

Dinamo played a very brave and good game on the opening of the UEFA Champions league group phase against Real Madrid. Even though Real took all three points back to Madrid, fans were very satisfied with the performance from Dinamo players.

Coach Krunoslav Jurčić had a lot of injury and suspension problems before the match; especially in defense. New Dinamo signing Josip Šimunić and full back Šime Vrsaljko were suspended and Leadro Cufre injured a day before the match while Igor Bišćan is still in recovery so Jerko Leko took the place at the right back. On the other side, Jose Mourinho didn't have much problems and the best possible 11 started the game for Real Madrid.

Dinamo started the game very brave and decided not to hold back but instead tried to play their game: controlling the game with as much possession as possible. Off course, Real had more possession and dictated the tempo of the game but Dinamo wasn't superior in this match; not for one second. Cristiano Ronaldo, Di Maria and Benzema caused problems to Dinamo defense but even when they got through - Ivan Kelava was there.

Modri had the first chance of the game in the 2. minute when Badelj's shot went over the goal and Real instantly responded when Ronaldo's fierce shoot ended in the commercials. The guests had the best chance of the game in the 29th minute but Kelava made a miracle save; actually - two. Benzema did most of the job on the right side, gave the ball to Ozil whose shoot Kelava blocked but the ball deflected to Di Maria. Argentinian placed a nice shot but Kelava got up and saved his shoot too.

Five minutes later - Dinamo had a dream opportunity to score. Leko's great pass put Rukavina behind Real Madrid defense and in front of Iker Casillas but Dinamo striker didn't keep his calm and the shoot was saved.

From the first referee whistle in the second half it was obvious that Real Madrid wants to score as soon as possible. Unfortunately, very soon they did. In the 53rd minute of the game Marcelo's cross came to Di Maria who placed a brilliant strike in the top corner of Kelava's goal for the lead. Real tried to get one more but Kelava saved the attempts from Ronaldo and Benzema. After 10 minutes in the second half, Dinamo managed to took control of the game and had couple of chances but Casillas didn't really have much to do. In the 73rd minute Marcelo gave Dinamo a chance. The Brazilian try to fake a penalty kick and referee showed him a yellow card and since it was his second - Real played the last 20 minutes with 10 players.

Dinamo then pushed forward but Casillas saved attempts from Leko and Tomečak so the game ended 0:1.

Despite defeat, Dinamo showed a good game and was quite an opponent to the Spanish giants. If Modri will be able to play at the same level against Lyon and Ajax they can certainly mess the favourites plans.