Coach Kovačević: We were good, the first half was our guide

I think we deservedly won, and in the pre-match preview I said it would be tough, emphasized Dinamo's coach Mario Kovačević immediately after the away victory against Gorica with 2:0, which brought the blues back to the top of the league table.

– The first half was our guideline, we were good. Gorica is a quality team, we knew they would press in the second half. Unfortunately, you saw the red card, we were left with ten players, but we reacted well, scored another goal and deservedly won. I say, the first half was very good, I congratulate the players from the heart. It wasn't easy to prepare for this match, it's important that we won. It was a good round for us, all the other matches ended in a draw so we escaped everyone by another two points – added coach Kovačević.

The defense also worked very well, the opponent did not create a great opportunity.

- That's what happens when you play with heart, we were good in defense when it was toughest. In the defensive line, we have young boys between 18 and 20 years old, and it's great that everyone helped them. I would like to praise our captain Josip Mišić, we were all compact, and that is important. We need such matches and such victories to lift ourselves up. I hope that on Saturday against Hajduk it will be even better.

The scorer in the referee's added time was Marko Soldo, which was also his first goal in Dinamo's jersey.

- I'm happy for him. The competition is tough, young Fran Topić scored for him, the guys are doing great, they are patient, and it paid off.

Arbër Hoxha had to leave the field on a stretcher in the second half due to injury.

- I hope everything will be okay, he took a hard hit, but we will know more on Tuesday.

Luka Stojković received his second yellow card by kicking the ball during a break in play.

- I didn't see the whole situation well. We were on the attack, the referee signaled for a throw-in, but I don't think the ball crossed the line completely. They tell me that Stojković just passed the ball on, that he didn't kick it but threw it in. But I wouldn't want to comment on something I didn't see well. Luka is a bit temperamental.

With this victory, Dinamo once again took the top spot in the standings, and on Saturday they will host Hajduk at Maksimir.

- First of all, I believe that we will prepare well, but also rest well, we have time until Saturday. We respect Hajduk, we are alternating in first place, now we are where we want to be, we will give our best to stay here, and also to further distance ourselves at the top with a victory.

Fans have once again shown full support to the team.

- Our fans are always the best, we just need to continue playing like this so that they are happy and cheerful - concluded coach Kovačević.