Coach Kovačević: We're going seriously from the first minute, we want to integrate new players as soon as possible
Match preview
After European and league challenges, Dinamo's footballers will open a new chapter in the current season this Wednesday. The Blues will travel at 16:30 to the Slavonian town of Ivankovo where they will be welcomed by hosts Bedem in the round of 16 of the SuperSport Croatian Cup. Dinamo will thus begin their hunt to defend the cup they won last season by beating Rijeka in the final in Osijek.
And Osijek will be the next league destination for the Blues. The match in Ivankovo is sandwiched between two championship fixtures – after the 1-0 victory against Gorica at Maksimir, and ahead of Saturday's away match at Opus Arena.
Dinamo and Bedem have already played two official matches against each other. It was in autumn 1994, also in the round of 16 of the Cup. Back then, however, this stage of the competition featured two matches. Dinamo, then called Croatia, won 3-0 in Ivankovo while they triumphed in an exciting return leg at Maksimir with a 5-3 victory.
– First and foremost, we're interested in advancing to the next round, we won't underestimate anyone, we've watched Bedem to better familiarize ourselves with their team. We'll give opportunities to some players who have featured less so far, and there are also quite a few new ones whom we want to integrate as well as possible. The match against Osijek is coming up quickly. As I said, the match in Ivankovo is important for us so that the new players, as well as those who have played less so far, can show themselves at their best and strengthen the competition already for Saturday against Osijek – highlighted coach Mario Kovačević.
Will there be anyone from the youth team in the squad?
– We have some newly arrived players there, from Dinamo B we've called up six and they will get their chance.
It's clear that the coach demands a serious and maximum approach in every match.
– That's right, we must start seriously from the first minute in order to resolve the question of the winner as soon as possible, so we don't get into any problems. We respect Bedem's team, but we're going for advancement, our desire is to win and integrate new players as soon as possible – concluded coach Kovačević.
