Uncrowned domination in Pula

Pula, stadium Aldo Drosina, 16.3.2013.

MAXtv Prva liga, 24. round

Istra 1961 – GNK Dinamo 0:0

Referees: Tihomir Pejin (Donji Miholjac), Tomislav Petrović (Valpovo), Dalibor Conjar (Osijek), Domagoj Ljubičić (Osijek)

Spectators: 4.000

Istra: Prskalo - Zgrablić (46. Ottochian), Čagalj, Budicin, Milić - Blagojević, Obšivač, Bačelić-Grgić (63. Havojić), Anđelković - Aganović, Roce

Dinamo: Kelava - Vrsaljko, Jedvaj, Šimunić, Pivarić - Ademi - Halilović (71. Pamić), Brozović, Sammir, Rukavina (83. Ibanez) - Beqiraj (90. Šimunović)

Yellow cards: Ottochian (83.) / Halilović (56.), Ademi (69.), Jedvaj (74.)

Red card: Brozović (68.)

Dinamo played a very good match in Pula but came back home short because the champions didn't convert chances into goals. Istra focused strictly on defense and done a great job while Modri played the last 25 minutes with 10 men after Marcelo Brozović was (too) harsh shown a red card.

Dinamo opened the game with style and completely dominated the game at Aldo Drosina. The champions have a lot of possession and dominance in every game in Croatia but it's hard to remember when Dinamo looked so good; specially in the first half. With ball possession 80% on Dinamo's side the players in blue had several good chances and hit the post.

First chance came after three minutes when Sammir found Brozović but his shot was saved by Prskalo. The match was played only on the home side's half and it seemed like the only question is "when will Dinamo take the lead?". The champions came agonizingly close when Halilović made a nice run and hit the nice curve shot from the edge of the box but 16-year old wonderkid hit the post.

Sammir had several shots near the posts, Beqiraj's header was saved by Prskalo and a great one from Šimunić in the 37th minute ended beside the post. In the second half we saw pretty much the same game: Dinamo dominated and Istra defended with all ten players. It took Dinamo only 10 minutes to create a great chance when Sammir made a nice run before finding Halilović in the box but his right foot shoot ended over the goal. Minute later Pivarić made most of the work for Beqiraj who placed a shot but once again it was blocked.

In the 68th minute of the match Dinamo was left with a man down after referee decided to sent off Marcelo Brozović for a foul deep in Istra's half. It was a reckless tackle from our midfielder but the game was very calm, with no harsh fouls and it seemed like it was a bit too harsh; yellow card would suffice.

With 25 minutes to go and an extra man Istra finally decided to get out of their own box and create something in attack but there was no real threat for Kelava. On the other side, Modri had several nice chances to take the win but the ball simply wouldn't go in the net.

Modri played a second successive goalless draw but the way the champions played in Pula there is certainly no reason to be worried. In fact, despite not getting the win this was one of the best Dinamo's away display of the season. The team will now face a two week break from games due to national team matches and the next game in on Saturday, 30. March against Zadar at Maksimir.