Good Dinamo display goes without reward, Porto takes the points

Stadium Maksimir, Zagreb, 18.9.2012.

Champions league, group A, 1. round

GNK Dinamo - FC Porto 0:2 (0:1)

Spectators: 4.683

Referees: Daniele Orsato, Elenito Di Liberatore, Massimiliano Grilli, Luca Maggiani, Paolo Valeri, Paolo Silvio Mazzoleni  (all Italy)

Dinamo: Kelava - Vida, Tonel, Šimunić, Pivarić - Calello (80. Kovačić), Ademi (58. Beqiraj), Brozović - Čop, Sammir, Rukavina (67. Carrasco)

Porto: Helton - Lopes, Maicon, Otamendi, Alex - Defour, Gonzalez, Moutinho - Varela (72. Atsu), Martinez (77. Kleber), Rodriguez (88. Mangala) 

Goals: 0:1 Gonzalez (41.), 0:2 Defour (90.+2)

Despite very good display Dinamo started their Champions league campaign with a home loss against Porto. Portuguese champions showed why they came to Zagreb as favourites and got three points on the opening of the group stage despite Dinamo showed that they can play with the best European teams.

Dinamo played the game against Porto just like coach Ante Čačić hoped they would before the match. Defensive line looked very sure and calm, three central midfielders - Ademi, Calello, Brozović -  helped a lot in defense and launched counter attacks for Sammir, Rukavina and Čop who were waiting in front. With that style of play - Dinamo had better chances than Porto in the first 45 minutes; despite ball possession being on Porto side.

Modri had their first attempt after six minutes when Brozović found Čop on the left side but his cross to the middle was blocked by Maicon. Sammir and Čop created another opportunity only couple of minutes later when Sammir's shot was blocked by other Porto centre back - Otamendi. On the other side, Porto had couple of crosses to the box but Tonel and specially Šimunić were excellent tonight.

When it seemed like it's going to be a goalless first half - Porto took the lead. In the 41. minute of the game Kelava made a rookie mistake and gave the ball to Martinez who waited to long to send the ball to an open net so Tonel managed to make a brilliant tackle and saved Dinamo; unfortunately, not for long. Later in the same minute it was Alex who made a run of the left flank, his cross was shortly deflected by Kelava but only for Lucho Gonzalez who easily placed it in the net.

In the second half Dinamo played more offensively, defensive midfielders Ademi and Calello were replaced by striker Fatos Beqiraj and later by playmaker Mateo Kovačić but Dinamo didn't get the equaliser they deserved. Modri had several nice chances to score but Helton made some great saves to keep a clean sheet. The best chance for Modri came in the 78. minute when Čop made a cross to the far post where Bryan Carrasco was all alone but his header was saved by Helton. Porto had their chances from counter attacks but Kelava made fantastic saves when Rodriguez and Atsu tried their shots.

In extra time Dinamo went for all or nothing and it came to - nothing. Unfortunately, in additional time it was Porto who scored when Defour made the most out of Dinamo's error in passing and Porto confirmed their victory.

Even though points go to Portugal, Dinamo should not be unhappy with their display because for 90 minutes of the game they were a strong and competitive opponent to a strong side like Porto. If Modri continue to play at this level - point(s) will come very soon.