Coach Kovačević: Saturday is a historic day, I believe we will delight the fans with a victory on Sunday

To delight the blue fans with good play and victory and thus mark a historic day for the Maksimir club. On Saturday, the first completely democratic elections in Dinamo's history are scheduled, and the day after, fans will support the Maksimir team in such a festive atmosphere in its new challenges. Dinamo will host Gorica on Sunday at 7:15 pm in the 6th round of the SuperSport HNL.

– Saturday will be a big day for Dinamo, as the fans wanted, and I invite them on this occasion to come and vote in the elections. As a team, of course, we will do everything to prepare well for Sunday's match and delight our fans with good play and victory – emphasized Dinamo's coach Mario Kovačević.

In the first six rounds of the new season, Gorica plays away games due to the installation of a new pitch at the Velika Gorica stadium. In these initial five rounds, all five away games, they have earned five points.

- We will prepare well, Gorica plays interesting, good football. They have also made many changes within the team, similar to us. They mostly play away games and earn points. I must commend my colleague Mario Carević on the Gorica bench, it is not easy with many new players. He brought in some players he previously trained in Šibenik, they have a good midfield, their system is a bit different compared to other teams, they play with three or five in defense, so 5-4-1 or 3-6-1. They have good, experienced players, and also young ones, I expect an interesting game from their side, but I am sure that we will be ready. We used the league break very well, we had tough, quality training sessions. In the next month, due to a dense schedule, we won't have much space for training. We have played two games now, a friendly in Senj and a cup match in Predavac, players who have played less so far got a chance, they needed minutes and they used them very well. We wanted to responsibly play the cup match, from the first minute we played as we wanted, the competition in the team is increasing, there are also Miha Zajc and Mounsef Bakrar... The players who were with the national team returned healthy and we welcome the Gorica team in a good atmosphere.

 Will there be any changes within the team compared to previous matches?

– We have two more training sessions and then we will decide, but I think there will be some changes. After all, we have made changes before, we have not played all matches with the same lineup.

When could Ismaël Bennacer, the latest big addition to the Maksimir club, play?

- Bennacer had a very good training session and I can't wait to see him in the team. However, I don't think we will use him in this match.

Journalists were interested in whether Bennacer would be ready for the match in Split on September 20?

- I believe he will be. He has only been with us for seven days, before that he was training individually, he is healthy and that is the most important thing. Well, quality is immediately visible in training. I say, I can't wait to have him in the team. I believe he will be able to play a part of the match in Split. He brings an additional dimension to Dinamo, but also to our league. It means a lot to us to have such a player, he is 27 years old, we know his quality and what he has done so far. As Dinamo's coach, I am thrilled, I am happy that he is with us. He will bring a lot to Dinamo and the Croatian League, and I am sure that people will enjoy watching him play.

In the cup duel in Predavec, where the blue team defeated their hosts and namesakes, the local team Dinamo, with a score of 6:0, Mounsef Bakrar also shone by scoring a "hat-trick."

- Yes, I am pleased with his performance, he is a forward, now he has played in a wing position, and players of his profile need to score goals. Both he and Zajc joined us later, we didn't rush their introduction to the team, now they have played brilliantly, train well, and show that they will be an asset.

In Dinamo's midfield, especially with the arrival of Zajc and Bennacer, there is extremely strong competition.

- We have a lot of matches, there are quality players in the team, everyone will get a chance. Form is also important. Whoever is in better form will play more. I am pleased that there is strong competition, not only in midfield but in all positions we are quite well covered. It is up to me to choose the best players at that moment.

Who will, alongside Moris Valinčić, compete for the right-back position? In the cup match, midfielder Marko Soldo played in that position. Could, for example, the option also be young Noa Mikić?

- We are waiting for Ronaël Pierre-Gabriel to recover. After the match in Osijek in the first round, he reported an injury. He is still here, with us. Of course, there is also young Mikić, our junior, who was with the national team and we couldn't use him in these two matches. There is no fear, we have other players who can cover that position. I believe Pierre-Gabriel will recover and be in contention for the lineup.

Coach Kovačević recently expressed hope that someone from Dinamo's team will soon play again in the Croatian A national team. Who does he potentially see among the candidates in the near future?

- If we continue to play well, I believe there will be more candidates. There are also our young, quality players who have played for the national team in younger age groups. There are Moris Valinčić, Dion Drena Beljo, Luka Stojković, but also goalkeeper Ivan Nevistić, our captain Josip Mišić who is also playing very well... I believe the coach will not turn a blind eye when someone proves themselves - concluded coach Kovačević.