Coach Kovačević: We want to win with domination, we go for points from the first minute

Dinamo started the season with a perfect record, winning all three games without conceding a goal. The Blues will try to continue this streak this weekend, facing Istra 1961 on Saturday at 9 pm at the Maksimir Stadium in the 4th round of the SuperSport HNL. The anticipation of the football spectacle is heightened by two more details: the club had sold over 11,000 tickets for this match by Friday morning, indicating a great atmosphere, and in the last five matches between Dinamo and Istra, a total of 21 goals were scored, which is more than four goals per game, suggesting a spectacle on the field...

- This week we are working in a pleasant atmosphere, especially after three championship victories. I have to praise the players, they are really doing well. We are aware that there are some things we still need to improve, and we are working on that in training. It is important that we do not have any major injury problems. Kevin Theophile and Nikola Čavlina are returning to us. Unfortunately, Niko Galešić has felt some issues and we cannot count on him at this time. Ronaël Pierre-Gabriel is still out of action due to injury. Everyone else is ready, there is great competition... We respect the team from Istria, we see that they are coming full of confidence, with announcements that they are going for the win. We respect their approach, but it is not easy for anyone here, I believe that we also have a say in this. From the first minute, we are going for the win, our guideline is our performance from the first half in the previous match against Rijeka at Rujevica. I believe that we can play like that for 90 minutes. "We will strive for that to happen already on Saturday and to celebrate together with our fans after the match," emphasized Dinamo's coach Mario Kovačević. "In the three matches played so far at the start of the championship, Dinamo has not conceded a single goal, but there have been criticisms in the media for the performance in the second half against Rijeka. Is it realistic to expect Dinamo to play at the same strong pace for the full 90 minutes in every match?"

- I believe and we will strive to have a much longer period of good play, just like it was in the first half in Rijeka. We are aware that no team in the world can dominate against everyone for the full 90 minutes. Immediately after the match, referring to the other 45 minutes, I said that it wasn't us. We are not the type of team that just defends. Of course, Rijeka has a quality team, in the second half they created good pressure, but I am sure that we will react much better next time and that after the pressure we will achieve the type of play we want. We not only want to win but we want to do it through domination. In the upcoming matches, we will set up even better, I believe we can extend that period of better play.

This summer, Dinamo brought in their two best players from Istra - Mateo Lisica and Moris Valinčić. How much stronger is Dinamo with them, and how much weaker is Istra?

- We are stronger, for sure. Both Lisica and Valinčić are playing well. But I see that Istra has strengthened, brought in other players, also good and quality ones. Their start to the season may not have been as they wished in terms of results and points. They lost to Hajduk away, and in the next two games they drew and were closer to victory. They have a good team. And of course, I am glad that Lisica and Valinčić came to us.

What do you consider the best part of Dinamo in these first three matches, of course, along with the fact that you have achieved a perfect points record and have not conceded any goals?

- The most important thing is that the players show that they want to win, that they give their all. The fighting spirit is at a maximum, the guys are fighting for the team. As for the quality of the game itself, I can say that in all three matches we were better than the opponents, and we also had two derbies. From that perspective, I am satisfied. At this moment, the most important thing is to win. I am glad that the desire is visible, the fans recognize it, and I am sure that we will grow from game to game.

Croatian national team coach Zlatko Dalić recently announced the list of candidates for the upcoming matches. For the first time in 11 years, there is not a single current Dinamo player in the squad.

- It is true, after a long time there is no Dinamo player on the list, but if we continue to play like we have in the last few games, I believe that in the next gatherings we will have our players again. I respect the coach's decision, he always chooses what he believes is best for Croatia. In addition, we have made a lot of changes in the team. But it is clear that the majority of the national team are players who have passed through Dinamo. I say, if we continue to play like this, I believe that the coach will call Dinamo players again - concluded coach Kovačević.