We started the match well, we scored immediately, and then it was as if we thought it was already over, highlighted Dinamo's strategist Mario Kovačević after the Maksimir derby in which Dinamo and Rijeka played out a 2:2 draw.

– In the first half we didn't allow Rijeka anything, but with the ball we didn't try hard enough. I have nothing to reproach my players for in this match, I can only reproach myself because I am the coach. Still, the lads have been in good form for a very long time and I'm happy about that. In recent matches there have been some things we need to fix, I'm sure we'll do that by Wednesday when we travel to face Istra 1961.

Rijeka caught up and even overtook Dinamo's early lead before the blues managed to equalize in the end.

– In the second half there was very little play, there were many interruptions. I'm pleased that after everything we showed character, when we were losing we tried to play better, the way we should have for most of the match. We came back, earned a point, and if there had been a little more time, I think we would have won.

The Maksimir coach was forced into two unplanned substitutions.

– Already during the first half Gabriel Vidović had to leave the game due to injury, and at halftime Scott McKenna also came off for the same reason. With Vidović it's a knee issue, we hope it's nothing too serious, we'll still see what the situation is. McKenna felt a problem with his adductor, he came off preventively, we didn't want to risk it.

Ahead of Wednesday's clash in Pula there will be forced absences due to injuries.

– Certainly every player is important to us, especially McKenna and Vidović who are in very good form. After all, we need to refresh the team, we have players who can hardly wait to be in the starting lineup and have the quality to adequately replace the current starters. I'm sure we'll be ready on Wednesday – concluded coach Kovačević.