-b9dcc308-b80c-498c-8399-1e3e3cf97d96-l.jpg)
Coach Kovačević: We go match by match, we will be better and better both in Europe and in the championship
On the EL draw and the away match in Pula
The Europa League league phase draw has given Dinamo challenging and demanding opponents, and this entire competition calendar will, of course, be "interwoven" with domestic competition commitments. Thus, for example, Dinamo coach Mario Kovačević offered a brief review of Friday afternoon's draw in Nyon on Friday, while simultaneously previewing Saturday's championship match against Istra 1961 in Pula.
Dinamo travelled to Stavanger on Wednesday where Viking won 3-1, which meant the Norwegian team advanced to the Champions League, while Dinamo moved to the Europa League. The Blues did not return to Zagreb after Norway but travelled directly to Pula where on Saturday at 6:30 PM they face Istra 1961 in the 5th round of the SuperSport HNL. Dinamo has so far strung together 26 championship matches without defeat, and this streak started precisely after dropping points in Pula when the hosts won 2-1 in November last year.
– I think we deserved a little more in these two Champions League play-off matches, but that's football. The opponent punished our two mistakes. Still, we secured the Europa League and we look forward to the upcoming European matches. We learned our opponents, there will be good, interesting matches. I know this team has talent and will show it in both championship and European matches – added coach Kovačević.
Dinamo will play eight matches in the Europa League league phase, hosting Bayer Leverkusen, Anderlecht, Sturm and NEC Nijmegen at Maksimir Stadium while playing away against Sunderland, AZ Alkmaar, Rennes and Hapoel Beer Sheva.
The Blues enter every competition this season with high ambitions, and the Maksimir strategist will demand from his players to be even better in Europe than last season.
– I can and must demand more from them than last season. I believe in this team regardless of some mistakes we make. We can be better. You saw our opponents, they are all good and interesting teams. We go match by match. I told the boys immediately after Norway that we want to make a step forward in the Europa League compared to last season and I think we can.
Meanwhile, domestic championship obligations are also coming. The first upcoming challenge is Saturday's away match in Pula.
– It's not easy. After all, our last championship defeat was there against Istra. We came directly from Norway to Pula so we wouldn't spend too much energy. We are preparing very seriously, Istra plays very interesting and beautiful football, especially in the attacking phase where they have excellent young players. We must be careful. We will be good although there is a short period between these two matches, only two and a half days. Still, we have a wide squad, and we'll see who will start.
What is the squad situation?
– Everything is mostly fine. We played on artificial turf in Norway, the boys' legs are a bit swollen, some feel back pain... Miha Zajc has the most problems, all others should be available including the newcomers Kirill Kravtsov and Noah Nsoki – concluded coach Kovačević.
