Good display ahead of CL match

Stadium Maksimir, 16.10.2015.

MAXtv Prva liga, 13. round

GNK Dinamo – NK Zagreb 4:1 (2:1)

Referees: Marijo Strahonja, Ivica Modrić, Krunoslav Ambrinac, Dalibor Mlakar (all Zagreb)

Spectators: 1026

Dinamo: Eduardo – Pinto (38. Matel), Benković, Taravel, Musa – Gonçalo – Hodžić (59. Šovšić), Machado (73. Rog), Ćorić, Fernandes - Henriquez

Zagreb: Livaković – Šehić, Kovačić, Matić, Bevab – Ljubičić (76. Jurilj), Stepčić, Gudelj (46. Ćavar), Tešija – G. Boban, Medić

Goals: 1:1 Fernandes (10.), 2:1 Fernandes (35.), 3:1 Hodžić (55.), 4:1 Henriquez (69.) / 0:1 G. Boban (1.)

Dinamo played a very good game after a national team break and following a shock start got a well deserved 4:1 win in the city derby. Zagreb took the lead after just 17 seconds but Fernandes scored two before halftime to give Dinamo the lead with Hodžić and Henriquez adding one each in the second half.

Games after national team break are always especially dangerous because the teams need some time to "get the machine running". Unfortunately, Zagreb is not one of those teams and Gabrijel Boban escaped Dinamo's defensive line to score the goal after just 17 seconds of the game. It seemed like he was offside but the flag stayed down and Zagreb was in front.

Dinamo didn't bother much with an early goal, Modri pushed forward from the "second start" of the game and very soon created first chances. Fernandes, Benković and Taravel all had their shots saved by Livaković but it was obvious Zagreb defence couldn't hold out much longer and after ten minutes if was all even again. Machado put in a cross from the right side, Fernandes got the ball and placed a low shot to the far corner.

Dinamo continued to push forward, Modri created several nice chances before same duo Machado – Fernandes brought another goal. This time Dinamo number 10 put in a cross from a free kick, number 11 jumped and headed the ball for the lead; it was 10 minutes before halftime. Exactly same time, ten minutes, took Dinamo in the second half to extend the lead to two goals.

It was a great action, Ćorić found Machado who put in his third assist and the best part was left to Hodžić. Shortly after that Šovšić entered the pitch and it was his fantastic pass to Henriquez that lead to the fourth goal in the 68th minute. Modri could have scored even more goals until the end but 4:1 was more than enough.

Sure win, great display and four goals – nice preview for the Champions league game against Olympiacos which is in a few days.