Coach Kovačević: This was a tough and deserved victory

Congratulations first and foremost to my players, this was a tough and well-deserved victory, emphasized Dinamo's coach Mario Kovačević after the 2-1 win against Rijeka.

– Congratulations also to Rijeka's players on a good game, especially in the second half. In the first half, we played well, scored a goal, had chances for a second goal. In the last five minutes and the beginning of the second half, it wasn't good, Rijeka took advantage of that. We conceded a too easy goal and after that it was immediately a "new game", as you saw. At times Rijeka was better, had some chances, I must praise our goalkeeper Ivan Nevistić, after our second goal he had one, two more interventions. So, in the first half we were better, in the second Rijeka – added coach Kovačević.

This match reminded of an earlier clash at Rujevica where Dinamo won 2-0 and was also better in the first half before fading in the second. Did Rijeka coach Victor Sanchez surprise Dinamo's strategist?

- He didn't surprise us, we played our game in the first half, when we had good energy, we were in the lead. But there is also Rijeka's quality, it's really evident that they have been playing very well lately. If you're not good, they create situations where they have an advantage, they have Toni Fuka who can cause problems, they created chances... Of course, we should have reacted better, but we didn't collapse, we fought. When it was toughest, we turned the game in our favor.

Such endings can be turning points in the season, they can propel the team forward.

– You are right, I think my team deserves it, we need situations like this. We are in the process, practically since last season Josip Mišić and Ivan Nevistić are here, there are many new players, we are trying, working... I can't blame the players for anything, there is still a lot of work to be done. We are struggling with injuries, we have placed some players in positions that are not natural for them, we missed the injured Miha Zajc and Luka Stojković...

Dinamo once again easily conceded a goal, practically from the opponent's first chance.

- How to solve that problem? By playing like we did in these 40 minutes when we were all compact, good, when everyone did what was needed in defense and attack. It was too easy of an action that could have been prevented.

Mateo Lisica played as a full-back instead of on the wing out of necessity.

- I have nothing to blame him for, he tried. It's clear that it's not easy to switch positions. We'll see.

Arbër Hoxha shone again with a masterful goal for the victory in the end of the match.

- It was a beautiful goal, but so was the one scored by Mounsef Bakrar. We know Arbër's quality, hats off to him, he works hard and it pays off.

There was tension in the second half, clashes among the players.

"I didn't see well, it's a derby, I understand all that," concluded coach Kovačević.