Coach Kovačević and Hoxha: We have learned from mistakes, we believe we can achieve a favorable result

The upward form and good recent performances boost the confidence of the Maksimir football players, but in search of new points, they will need to play their best European match in the current part of the season. This is also emphasized by Dinamo's coach Mario Kovačević, who will lead his team against French Lille in the 5th round of the Europa League on Thursday at 18:45.

– We are looking forward to the new European match, we see that tougher opponents are coming our way, we know it won't be easy. Lille is a great team, especially when playing at home. We had a crisis of results from which we are slowly emerging. We are aware that we have to play our best match in Europe if we want to achieve a favorable result. That's how we are preparing, that's how we will approach it. We know it will be tough, but we believe we can achieve a positive result – emphasized coach Kovačević.

He did not reveal details about the composition and formation of his team, but when asked about the goalkeeper, he was still specific:

– He will remain the same as in the last match – Ivan Filipović will be in goal.

What are the basic characteristics of Lille?

- We are slowly introducing the players to all the details, we will have another slightly larger analysis. Lille is at the top of the French league, and we all know how quality it is. They have good, fast, strong players, we watched their matches against PAOK and Red Star in which they lost, it is clear that we must not leave them much space, especially in our defense. They are all fast, technically good. If we succeed in that, I believe we can impose our quality. Of course, we must not retreat too much to our goalkeeper's lap. When they play quite high, there is a lot of space left for us, I believe in our attackers, but also in our quality midfielders who can create opportunities for them. I say, I believe we can surprise them there.

Of course, the stability of the defense is also important, which was not the case in the last European duel when Celta won in Maksimir with 3:0.

- During the training sessions, of course, we talked a lot, analyzed, watched mistakes... I told them: if we learned anything from the match against Celta, it is that mistakes are not forgiven in Europe. I believe that on Thursday we will show that we have learned... We know that even the smallest mistake can lead the game in the wrong direction. I am sure that we will be focused - added coach Kovačević.

Maksimir's winger Arbër Hoxha also spoke to the press, whose form is visibly on the rise.

- It will be a tough match, we are facing a strong opponent, but we have prepared well, we will give 100 percent of our capabilities to return to Zagreb with a victory. Lille is a good team, but we are extremely motivated, we want to give our all on this stadium and on such a good pitch and God willing, we will come out with all three points, why not? It is true that we were not good against Celta, we conceded a goal early, but on Thursday it will be a completely different match.