Restore the real energy and strengthen the defensive phase. That is the basic message that Dinamo's coach Mario Kovačević sent out ahead of new European challenges. The Blues will face Israeli Hapoel from Beer Sheva on Wednesday at 9 PM in Bucharest in the 1st round of the Europa League. Hapoel will therefore be the home team in the Romanian capital during the league phase of the competition, while Dinamo's players and staff naturally want to show that Saturday's defeat in Osijek was just a bad day. Dinamo had connected as many as 28 consecutive league matches without defeat leading up to that game.

– For us, the Europa League is a big challenge although we naturally wanted to enter the Champions League. After all, Hapoel was also close, even closer than us, to qualifying for the Champions League. They are a good team, but our goal is to start the European season well. Our motivation is at maximum, we want victory – coach Kovačević emphasized.

Dinamo also played against an Israeli opponent in last season's Europa League group stage who were hosts on neutral ground. The Blues then defeated Maccabi Tel Aviv in Bačka Topola 3-1.

– Yes, last season we had a similar situation as now with Hapoel. But a lot of time has passed since then. In the end, we deservedly won although it was an even match against a quality opponent. Now we face a similar situation, and I believe the outcome will be the same as it was then against Maccabi.

Dinamo enters this match following the defeat in Osijek.

– Well, I'll give everything to connect another 10, 11 months without defeat as was the case now. So we can connect even a few more days... A defeat has to happen sooner or later. Alright, it's not convenient right now before the Europa League start, but something good can be extracted from defeat too. I expect a good reaction from our players, we can't wait for the match to show that Saturday was just our bad day in Osijek. I'm proud of what we've achieved in this past year. There's no team that doesn't lose a match, especially when in European rhythm. We achieved everything we wanted, won the double crown, entered the Europa League group stage which was our minimum goal... New challenges lie ahead. We know it wasn't good against Osijek, but I don't doubt my team.

Part of the media harshly criticized Dinamo after its first league defeat this year.

– I think the public, as well as journalists, should have a bit more respect both for the club and for me. I'm saying, we won the double crown, in the new season we reached the Europa League, that also needs to be earned. We suffered a defeat in the league, but I don't doubt myself, the staff, the players, or the club. We work and prepare as best we can to play a good match.

Dion Drena Beljo will not be available for this match as he missed the game in Osijek due to a virus.

– Who wouldn't miss their best player? Even in this early part of the season he was scoring, assisting, doing everything we asked. But Smail Prevljak is there, we have other solutions too.

What kind of Hapoel can we expect on Wednesday?

– They are a team that wants to dominate, they press the opponent hard, and we must improve that segment. It's mostly up to us. I know we can respond well to challenges, and I think we still have more quality players. Hapoel is an international team, they're solid, they run well. There we might have some problems. A virus appeared in the team, and the intensity dropped a bit after we didn't enter the Champions League. However, if we run as we should, if we win duels, I believe that with our quality, we can get to goals. We're aware we must be much better, stronger and more compact in the defensive phase. We'll bring back that energy to be ourselves.

How much will the newly arrived players participate in this match, how ready are they at this moment?

– We can't expect them to already be at their 100 percent now, they need some time to gel. It's different training alone, they lack match fitness. But we'll use them in some part of the match. I'm satisfied with the players who came, they can't immediately deliver as much as we might want, but time will come. Now we're in a period where until the upcoming league break we must extract the maximum, and then come out even more gelled and better quality – coach Kovačević emphasized.

Maksimir defender Sergi Dominguez also appeared before the press. Journalists were interested in how much Dinamo's players might potentially be bothered by the allegedly poor quality of the pitch itself.

– That's not important to us, last year we also played on different surfaces away. Yes, I heard something about the pitch here, but I can't speak specifically. In any case, whatever the pitch is like, it's the same for both teams.

Dominguez also reflected on the atmosphere in the team after the defeat in Osijek.

– In recent matches things haven't gone best for us, but in Europe we want to show that we can repeat last season when we also, despite one weaker period, progressed further. Europe gives additional motivation and energy, and now we have one more year of experience. We'll all give 100 percent of ourselves.

Journalists were also interested in his opinion about the support that president Zvonimir Boban provides to the players themselves.

– He always gives us energy, comes to the dressing room to support us, shows faith in us. He suggests we don't forget everything we've achieved so far, sends us positive energy. It's nice to have a president who wants to protect you and give you support.

Dinamo faces a demanding opponent.

– Hapoel plays with good, solid pressing, we must be careful about that. They want to have the ball at their feet, but so do we. Whoever imposes themselves there will have the advantage – Dominguez added.