Tough second leg in Luxembourg

Stadium Maksimir, 15.7.2015.

2. qualifying round Champions league, first leg

GNK Dinamo – CS Fola Esch 1:1 (1:1)

Attendance: 9100

Referees: Neil Doyle, Damien MacGraith, Allen Lynch, Paul Mclaughlin (all Ireland)

Dinamo: Eduardo – Pinto, Šimunović, Taravel (79. Hodžić), Pivarić – Machado (59. Pamić), Gonçalo (68. Cekici) – Soudani, Rog, Pjaca – Henriquez

Fola:  Hym – Martino, Klein, Martin, Kirsch – Payal - Bensi (od 25. Hornuss), Ronny, Dallevedove,  Francoise (78. Rani) - Hadji (82. Camerling)

Yellow cards: Goncalo (35.), Machado (49.), Šimunović (59.), Soudani (85.) / Martino (34.), Francoise (64.), Kirch (69.)

Red card: Souto (64.)

Goals: 1:1 Henriquez (36.) / 0:1 Hadji (25.)

Dinamo didn't open this years' Champions league as wished. In the first game of the Champions league 2. qualifying round Modri got a 1:1 home draw against Fola Esch from Luxembourg and they are about to have a difficult task in the second leg.

Just like couple of days ago against Hajduk Dinamo opened the game pretty bad – with a goal behind. To make things even worse, Fola didn't score after the first chance they had. Guests had their first attempt in the 3rd minute when Dallevedove placed a great shot to show that they didn't come to Zagreb as tourists. Eduardo saved that shot and did the same with the next one after a corner kick.

After 15 minutes Modri started to play their possession game but very soon after that – Fola took the lead. In the 25th minute Dallevedove's cross was chipped to the far post where Hadji was all alone and had an easy job of scoring. Exactly like against Hajduk guests taking the lead pushed Modri forward and ten minutes later it was 1:1.

Equaliser came after a brilliant team move when Modri made several fast passes and in the end it was Henriquez who scored on the far post after a pass from Soudani. Minute later Dinamo almost got the complete turnaround but Soudani didn't react so well this time. In the second half Dinamo continued to push forward and especially in the last 30 minutes when Fola was left with a man down when Souto received a red card.

Being with 10 men only meant Fola will defend even more, most of the Fola's players were in their own box and it was hard to go through. Pamić came on to deliver numerous set pieces, later on Cekici and Hodžić were on the pitch too and Modri played with only one centre back but Fola managed to defend and take home a very good result.

Despite this 1:1 Dinamo showed much more than Fola and the Croatian champions are a big favourite and they will surely prove that in the second leg. The only thing that changed is that they will have to try a lot harder than planned.