Coach Kovačević: We were better from the first minute, congratulations to everyone at the club on this victory

Thank you to my players, we deserved this victory, from the first to the last minute we were the better opponent, emphasized Dinamo's coach Mario Kovačević immediately after the Blues' 3-1 victory over Turkish Fenerbahçe at the start of the UEFA Europa League.

– This was the start of a new European season, we didn't know how we would react, but I believed it could be like this. I knew that Fenerbahçe had problems, they have strong individuals in their squad, but they are still finding their way as a team. We were exactly that, we played as a team, but it's not easy for us either because we changed our squad more than they did in the summer. We used this time, the entire preparation period and these seven league matches before the European start. We were better from the first minute, congratulations to everyone at the club for this victory, especially to the players – added coach Kovačević.

Fenerbahçe coach, Domenico Tedesco, emphasized that he did not expect Arber Hoxha in Dinamo's starting lineup.

- I wanted Hoxha to stay with us this season, he trains well, he took his chance. He was good at Poljud where he also scored a goal so I am surprised that my colleague did not expect him. I am not surprised by how Hoxha plays, he works hard, I knew what he is capable of, he took the opportunity at the best moment. It makes me happy, my wish is for him to continue like this.

After a recent league defeat against Gorica, the players from Maksimir defeated the main competitor in the Croatian league away and convincingly celebrated the European start, which also shows a winning attitude and strong character.

- That's right, that's exactly what I wanted to say. After one defeat, you can learn more than after 100 victories. I wanted this kind of response. We are in the process of creating a team and it is understandable that there are matches like the one against Gorica. I hope it will be a long time before something similar happens again, although I would prefer it not to happen at all. In any case, after this victory, we will not soar as we did not sink after that defeat. We have to work hard, this weekend we have a match against Slaven Belupo, the championship is the most important to us.

Half of the matches of the first round of the Europa League have been played and at this moment Dinamo is at the top of the table.

- Yes, I saw, my colleagues showed me... It's nice to see that, but this is just the beginning. There were many draws and victories by one goal difference. We won by two goals, but as I said, we will not soar, this is just the beginning.

Dinamo used to play matches at the start of the season where they had a slightly weaker start to the second half. That was not the case now.

- It's all part of that creation process I'm talking about. You know how many new players came at the beginning of the preparations, almost a completely new team. And as for those weaker starts... It's like some are happy about it. But I knew we would get better. We need some time, we are still far from what I want and what we will be. Congratulations to my players. When that work is visible on the field, it's normal that we are all happy and satisfied. I'm giving my all for Dinamo to be better, everyone in the club is helping us, I'm happy, especially after everything I've been through in the last year.

A Turkish journalist asked Dinamo's coach if he was surprised that his colleague on the bench of the Turkish club used a formation in which many players did not play in their usual positions.

– Yes, we saw that and I can say that it surprised us a bit. But sometimes it can turn out well. I think we used it well. We didn't change our tactics, we believed in our work, imposed ourselves with our game.

How different is today's Dinamo compared to a year ago. Back then, coach Kovačević led Slaven Belupo to victory against the team from Maksimir. 

– The current team is "hungry", we have 20-something players and sweet worries about forming the lineup. Last season the team was somehow at the end of its best moments, and we are just at the beginning. Oh, this team has come together well, the people who did it did it superbly.

On the question about the performance of Miha Zajc, former player of Fenerbahçe, coach Kovačević added:

– I have to thank the Fenerbahçe staff for not wanting him, for coming to us. From the first day when such a possibility opened up, I wanted him to come with all my heart. He is an experienced player, he can help the young ones. He played very well in these first two matches, he can repeat that, he has just arrived.