Coach Kovačević: I am satisfied, this is the path we need to continue

We deservedly won, I can only congratulate my players, we were really better and of higher quality from the first to the 90th minute, emphasized Dinamo's coach Mario Kovačević after a convincing performance and victory against Istra 1961 with 3:0 in the 4th round of the league.

- We did have some luck, we scored a "gift goal" early on, Istra solidly competed for a while, but later everything was on our side. We controlled the game. In the first half, we created a lot of chances, a lot of shots, we could have maybe scored a second or even third goal and settled the game. We created good opportunities, it's a shame we didn't score. We knew that chances would come in the second half, we continued to control the game, looking for a new goal. The players from the bench reacted well. It's as if I "awakened" them with my criticism after the last game. The guys who came in as substitutes were very good and we scored two more goals. I congratulate all the players, but also the Istra team who gave their all and fought.

After four rounds, Dinamo has won all matches and has not conceded a single goal. Journalists asked if the new coach of Dinamo could have dreamed of such a start to the season?

– Did I dream... Look, I believed we could do this. But we still have a match against Varaždin away, followed by a break due to the national team, after which we will do a small analysis. We are certainly satisfied, we had two derbies away, we played well against everyone. There were periods in matches that we were not satisfied with, now we were good from the first to the last minute and that's the path we need to continue on.

Which of these four matches was most to the coach's liking?

- It's hard to single out. Here, against Osijek, it was a very good game and then the first half against Rijeka... We defeated Vukovar, but I wasn't happy with the game, I knew it could be better. Now we played the whole game at the right level. I always emphasize that we will get better. I'm sorry only for the players who haven't played yet, those to whom I still can't give a chance. I tell them to just be patient, they will get their chance, we will soon start with the Wednesday-Saturday rhythm. Everyone is working very well in training and will get a chance.

Gonzalo Villar entered the game from the bench for the second time, but also scored his first goal. And it was extremely effective.

- That's how you respond, on the field. I love it when someone is positively angry, and the field is where you need to show that they deserve to play more. I have no doubt in Villar at all. You know yourself, when someone new comes, they need adjustment and a little more time. I believe in him, and this time he reacted in the best way.

The transfer window lasts for another eight days.

- I only focus on the field and my players, on how we work and train. There are people who deal with the transfer window. I have to thank the Board once again, there were many changes in the team, but we made them in time, we completed ourselves already upon returning from preparations. That was important. I am very satisfied with all my players.

Therefore, Dinamo will play away at Varaždin in the next round.

- That is "my" Varaždin, where I live, I always come there with joy. There will be a good atmosphere, Dinamo has many of their fans there, and Varaždin has its own, of course. They are a good team, but they don't have the points performance they wanted and deserve. We will prepare well, there are always interesting matches there, but I believe in my players and that we will continue the streak we started - concluded coach Kovačević.