Coach Kovačević: I am happy about our togetherness, character, and team spirit

I think the boys deserved this victory, but you saw that Maccabi is a good team, as we said before the match, emphasized Dinamo's coach Mario Kovačević after his team defeated the Israeli champion Maccabi from Tel Aviv 3-1 on the field in Bačka Topola where the Israelis formally play as hosts.

- You saw the beginning, we said that Maccabi is a good team, they put together a nice action from which they took the lead, but we reacted in the best way and not only equalized but also turned the result around. We created pressure and equalized in that way, later scored a second goal from a nice action after which it was easier. The third goal greatly helped us not to worry in the last 15 minutes. We had our moments, they had theirs, but I say, with the third goal we put the game in calm waters.

After two rounds played in the Europa League, the team from Maksimir is at the top of the table.

– It's nice, but we are aware that there is still a lot of work ahead of us. We definitely won't get carried away, I've been saying that from day one. Soon we have a match against Lokomotiva, we will rest a bit, we have a broad squad... First, we are thinking about that match. Of course, it's nice to be at the top of the Europa League table, but only two rounds have passed, there are six matches ahead of us.

In Dinamo's team, there are many players in good form, someone always steps up and decides the game, as was the case tonight with Dejan Ljubičić.

– I am with them every day and I know what they are capable of. That's right, someone always steps up. This time it was Ljubičić, I have always believed in him. I say, the field is the only measure. It is important that the boys fight and give their all, and we have the quality for someone to always decide the game. This time it was Ljubičić, next time it may be someone else. All of this makes me happy, this unity, strong character, and team spirit – added coach Kovačević.