Second half goal from Krstanović for well deserved victory

Stadium in Vinkovci, 27.10.2012.

MAXtv Prva liga, 13. round

HNK Cibalia - GNK Dinamo 0:1 (0:0)

Referees: Ivan Bebek (Rijeka), Siniša Premužaj (Varaždin), Borut Križarić (Čakovec), Tihomir Pejin (D. Miholjac)

Specators: 2.500

Cibalia: Matković - Mazalović, Župarić, Mitrović, Rugašević - Čulić, Matoš,Vitaić - Terzić (56. Koledić), Filipović (79. Puljić) - Pavličić (59. Tokić)

Dinamo: Kelava - Vrsaljko, Vida, Šimunić, Pivarić - Brozović, Kovačić - Carrasco (72. Peko), Alispahić (82. Puljić), Ibanez - Beqiraj (72. Krstanović)

Yellow cards: Mazalović (33.) / Ibanez (33.) 

Goal: 0:1 Krstanović (75.)

Dinamo got all three points in Vinkovci and earned their tenth league victory of the season. Croatian champions were a dominant team the whole game but home side managed to keep a clean sheet until 75th minute when sub Ivan Krstanović scored the winner.

Just a few days after a tough Champions league match against Paris Saint-Germain, Dinamo travelled to Vinkovci with a lot of problems. Modri came to play against Cibalia with only 15 players because no less than seven players stayed in Zagreb due to suspension (Čop) and minor injuries (Sammir, Tonel, Rukavina, Ademi, Tomečak and Halilović).

Coach Ante Čačić was forced to make several changes in the squad so Bryan Carrasco started his second league game since coming to Zagreb while, once again, midfield "owners" were Marcelo Brozović and Mateo Kovačić with Mehmed Alispahić in front of them. Despite the fact Dinamo having control of possession and play, Modri find it very hard to get past defensive Cibalia.

Home side decided to play in 6-4-0 formation and focused strictly on defense and counter attacks so it was tough to get past their defensive block and threaten Matković. Dinamo tried coming down both flanks with Vrsaljko showing a great display but neither his or Pivarić's crosses from the left side didn't bring a goal.

The closest Dinamo came to scoring was in the 24th minute when Alispahić got the ball on 20 metres from Matković and placed a nice shot that ended in the post. Couple of minutes from time Brozović tried his long distance shot but his attempt went beside the net.

Dinamo started the second half a lot better, pushed more and had two fantastic chances in couple of minutes play. Carrasco made a nice run and found Beqiraj in the middle who gave the ball to Pivarić but his shot from 6-7 metres went over the goal. Minute after that Vrsaljko stopped brilliant Kovačić's cross and found Beqiraj in the middle who placed the ball in the net but referee disallowed the goal for an, to put it lightly, very suspicious offensive foul. In the 54th minute - another great chance.

Kovačić started the action in which Beqiraj and Carrasco were blocked in the box but the ball once again came to Kovačić who was alone on 10 metres but his shot also went over the net. It was obvious that Dinamo had to score and it finally happened in the 76th minute of the game. Just three minutes after entering the pitch, Ivan Krstanović headed a nice cross from Brozović, Matković saved his first attempt but not the second one and Dinamo got in front.

Until the final whistle Modri had several great chances to extend the lead but first one was missed by Ibanez after a great run by Vida and Brozović's header after a corner kick also ended beside the goal.

In the end, Dinamo got the fully deserved victory and managed to extended the lead. Modri now turn their focus to Tuesday and the Cup game against Zadar in Maksimir.