On Monday, July 13th, at the Zlatko "Cico" Kranjčar pitch, coach Milan Badelj assembled the junior squad ahead of the new competitive season.

New team, new coach - the under-19 selection will consist of players born in 2008 and 2009. They will be led by celebrated Dinamo player and former Croatian international Milan Badelj, for whom this will be his first independent coaching experience, after serving as assistant to Jerko Leko with the junior squad last season.

"I was looking forward to this. For me, it's a new beginning, despite staying in what I've been involved with my whole life. I could hardly wait for everything to get started and to hold our first training session. The year I spent alongside Leko meant a lot to me, now I'm much more prepared and mature to lead this team. I'm satisfied with how it looked, we have no injury problems. The summary of the first day is that everything is in perfect order."

Last season was very successful for the juniors - the double crown was won, they reached the semi-finals of the prestigious Premier League International Cup, they won the Mladen Ramljak tournament... So what are the goals and ambitions for this season?

"The basic goal is to have as many players as possible ready for the first team and B team. That's something youth academy coaches should strive for - developing players. Of course, results are always important too. The imperative to win must always exist, especially at these age groups that are close to the first team. If nothing else, to give the boys at least some approximation of the pressure they'll face later."

The first roll call was conducted by the new junior head coach Milan Badelj, and his coaching staff also includes assistant coaches Tomislav Barbarić and Hrvoje Jukić, goalkeeping coach Luka Lauš, analyst Miroslav Drušković and fitness coach Frano Leko.

The new league season begins on August 22nd, but even before that our juniors will compete in one major tournament where you'll be able to see them in action.

Namely, from August 6th to 9th at Maksimir Stadium, the 23rd edition of the Mladen Ramljak Memorial will be played, where the Blues will seek their 15th title.