The roar from the Maksimir stands, belief in their own quality and the enthusiasm following the furious comeback against Swiss side Thun are the foundation of Dinamo's optimism ahead of new challenges. The Blues will welcome Lithuanian side Kauno Žalgiris on Tuesday at 8 PM in the first leg of the Champions League 3rd qualifying round, with the return leg a week later in Lithuania, and the overall winner will advance to the play-off, the final step before the league phase. Kauno Žalgiris will be led from the bench by former Dinamo coach Željko Sopić, while their squad includes former Maksimir junior and later first team member Ivan Fiolić. Both, of course, know Dinamo's 'habitus' well, which in the Maksimir dressing room can certainly mean an additional call for caution.

– I believe we will improve from match to match, that we will be better, we are aware of how important this tie is. It's important that we are all healthy and I believe that with full concentration we will beat the good Žalgiris team – emphasized Dinamo's coach Mario Kovačević.

What is the state of the Maksimir squad?

– Miha Zajc has some minor problems, but we have one more training session ahead of us, I hope everything will be fine. New signing Smail Prevljak is gradually joining us and will also be in the squad.

How does coach Kovačević view the role of favorite in a European match?

– We don't run from that role, but – what does favorite actually mean? On paper we are, but we need to show that on the pitch. Žalgiris has passed two qualifying rounds, they are a serious team, they have our coach Željko Sopić who knows us very well. They will prepare well, but I think it will still depend mostly on us. We must be better from match to match, I believe we will indeed be like that. Otherwise we could have problems.

At the same time, we need to 'boost' the energy in the very start of the match. Thun, for example, led 2-0 in Zagreb after about twenty minutes, and Dinamo turned it around in the final stages and then in extra time for a 3-2 victory and progression to the next round.

– It wasn't easy to turn the result around, but that is certainly a warning that we must enter the match better. There are no easy opponents, we must be careful. As I say, we need to be right from the first minute. From the start of the season we have had problems with entering matches, we must push from the first minute and play the entire match at the right rhythm. We face an opponent coming on a wave of optimism, they have achieved their greatest success. They certainly expect to get a good result here and then try something more in the return leg at home.

Can coach Sopić surprise his colleague Kovačević with something?

– It's always a question of the team you lead. We know he is a master of defense. Sometimes they employ high pressing, but generally they rely on good defending. But everything is up to us, if we are right, if we pressure them with our supporters, it will be good. That's how we scored two goals against Slaven Belupo now, created quite a few chances... I believe we will be like that on Tuesday as well.

Dinamo has a wide squad, which is visible, for example, in the competition for centre-back positions.

– I am delighted with such competition. In two matches we played with two different centre-back pairs. We'll see, everyone will have a chance in the upcoming matches.

How much stronger is Dinamo objectively with the return of Luka Stojković?

– You could see how much we missed him, I'm sure he will continue to improve. I'm glad he played at least that one match. We know how quality and good a player he is. As I said last time, I'm glad he's back, he makes the whole team better – concluded coach Kovačević.

The hero of the victory against Thun, Moris Valinčić, who scored the goal against the Swiss in extra time for the final 3-2 and progression to the 3rd qualifying round, is also optimistic.

– I want us to open the match well in those first 10 minutes and continue to improve during the game. What result would I be satisfied with? Well, a victory is important, preferably with a clean sheet. But we must have a good start to the match.

Valinčić's rise in form is also visible.

– I always gave my maximum. Sometimes it turned out better, sometimes worse, but I always expect the best from myself. If I want to grow, I need to be better – concluded Valinčić.