CHAMPIONS LEAGUE!

Maksimir, Zagreb, 25.8.2015.

Second leg of the Champions league play-offs, first leg: Skenderbeu – Dinamo 1:2

GNK Dinamo – KF Skenderbeu 4:1 (2:1)

Referees: Gianluca Rocchi, Gianluca Cariolato, Alessandro Giallatini, Fabiano Preti, 1. DPS: Davide Massa, 2. DPS: Carmine Russo (all Italy)

Attendance: 16888

Dinamo: Eduardo - Pinto, Sigali, Taravel, Pivarić - Goncalo, Machado - Soudani, Ćorić (67. Rog), Pjaca (77. Fernandes) - Hodžić (51. Antolić)

Skenderbeu: Shehi - Vangjeli, Radas, Jashanica, Arapi - Progni (65. Nimaga), Lilaj, Shkembi, Esquerdinha - Latifi (78. Hristov), Berisha (58. Olayinka)

Yellow cards: Goncalo (17.i 48.), Ćorić (22.) / Berisha (17.), Vangjeli (56.)

Red card: Goncalo (48.)

Goals: 1:0 Soudani (9.), 2:1 Hodžić (15.), 3:1 Taravel (55.), 4:1 Soudani (80.) / 1:1 Esquerdinha (10.)

Dinamo will play in the group stage of the Champions league! In the second leg of the play-offs Modri played another great game, got 4:1 win and qualified for the group stage! Soudani gave Croatian champions an early lead but Skenderbeu responded immediately but Hodžić's goal in the 15th minute relaxed the home team. In the second half, despite being a man down, Taravel and Soudani scored two more for 4:1 and – Champions league!

Coach Mamić said that despite having the lead from the first leg Modri will go for the win in the Maksimir clash. In front of almost 17 thousand fans and in a great atmosphere Modri dominated from the start of the match and were in front after just 9 minutes. Pivarić made a great cross from the left side, Soudani was in the middle and his header ended in the far corner. Unfortunately, only a minute later it was 1:1 when Esquerdinha converted on a rebound to scare the fans.

That didn't last for long because in the 15th minute Hodžić's great 12 metres left-footer to the bottom corner put Dinamo in front again. Dinamo continued to dominate, had several nice chances to extend the lead but there was no more goals in the first half. A new possible problems occurred after couple of minutes in the second when Goncalo was sent off and Skenderbeu had a chance but Progni missed the ball.

That chance was all Dinamo would let Skenderbeu and in the 53rd minute – it was game over in Maksimir. Machado made a cross from the corner, Taravel's first attempt was blocked but his second ended where it should – in the net. With a man down, 3:1 on the scoreboard and 2:1 from the first game but Dinamo was still attacking. The fans enjoyed, Modri were creating chance after chance and ten minutes from time Soudani scored his second goal of the match.

Fernandes made a brilliant pass to Soudani who ran to the box and sent the ball to the net for the forth time tonight. Dinamo could've scored more goals but it was enough; more than enough.

What can we say? Congratulations to the players and the coaching staff on qualifying to the Champions league! This is a major success and in two days we will find out three big teams Dinamo will play against at least until December!