Dinamo created and missed chances, Zagreb scored and defended

MAXtv Prva liga, 17. round, stadium in Kranjčevića

NK Zagreb - GNK Dinamo 1:0 (0:0)

Referees: Danijel Trampus, Dalibor Conjar, Miro Grgić, Andrej Burilo (all Osijek)

Spectators: 3.500

Zagreb: Livaković - Pelaić, Nadarević, Pavlović, Bevab- Handžić, Djengoue - Abdurahimi (85. Dedić), Štrok (78. Mitrović), Šovšić - Medić (83. Kolinger)

Dinamo: Kelava - Vrsaljko, Vida, Šimunić (75. Halilović), Pivarić - Ademi, Kovačić - Beqiraj (85. Ibanez), Alispahić, Rukavina (68. Čop) - Krstanović

Yellow cards: Handžić (58.), Djengoue (77.), Medić (83.), Dedić (90.) / Šimunić (50.)

Red card: Nadarević (81.)

Goal: 1:0 Abdurahimi (50.)

Dinamo suffered third league defeat of the season when almost nobody expected to Zagreb, last team on the table. Modri totally controlled the game, dominated and created numerous chances but missed them all while Zagreb got the most of their only chance and got three points.

Defending champions and league leaders came to Kranjčevićeva to win and nothing else was even an option. The second the team started their warm-up it was obvious that coach Čačić wasn't kidding because he decided to start the game very offensively. Youngster Kovačić was the main man in the middle while Alispahić, Beqiraj, Rukavina and Krstanović were in front of him.

In the first 15 minutes of the game Dinamo totally dominated, created at least five excellent chances but - missed them all. Chances started after only 8 minutes when Kovačić's strike was blocked and from the coming corner Beqiraj's header ended in the post. Dinamo players were all around, coming down the flanks and making crosses but defender always managed to block the shot in the last second. When the shot got passed "the first blocker", like Alispahić's two attempts after Vrsaljko's crosses they ended on the wrong side of the post.

Dinamo didn't get in front then and not even in the 26th minute when Alispahić found Rukavina who escaped Zagreb's defense but his header ended beside the goal. Couple of minutes later it was Rukavina again who had his attempt but Livaković made a nice save.

As it usually goes in football, when you don't score - you concede. Dinamo missed almost 10 nice chances and Zagreb scored from the first they've created. Dinamo's defensive line didn't clear the ball, Šovšić made a pass to the box for Abdurahimi who didn't have a tough job of scoring. Zagreb didn't deserve their lead but after 50 minutes of play they were in front.

After taking the lead Zagreb even more pushed back, created a block in front of Livaković and it was difficult to pass through. When Modri did, just like in the first half, they missed their chances. The best one came for Šimunić in the 68th minute after a corner kick but his shot ended over the bar.

In the last ten minutes Modri had an extra man due to Nadarević's red card but Zagreb managed to keep their advantage.

Despite better play and excellent chances, Dinamo suffered third league defeat at Kranjčevićeva and now turn their focus to Friday and the derby match against Lokomotiva.