This was Dinamo's sixth season in the Champions League, and their second in a row. The Blues reached the group stage after beating Salzburg in the play-off, winning the second leg away 2-1 after extra time. However, the group stage did not unfold as they had hoped. Following defeats away to Lyon and at Maksimir against Juventus, the Blues welcomed Sevilla at home in matchday 3.

The visitors ultimately won 1-0, with Samir Nasri scoring in the 37th minute. Dinamo played with more courage in the final 20 or so minutes and created chances, but could not find the back of the net. The same opponents met again in the very next round, in Seville. Just before the end of the first half, with the hosts leading 1-0, Maksimir defender Petar Stojanović was sent off after receiving a second yellow card. The hosts took advantage and went on to score three more times before the final whistle, making it 4-0.

Injured Josip Pivarić missed the match in Zagreb, captain Domagoj Antolić was also absent through injury for the match in Spain, and the Blues also played this season without the suspended Arijan Ademi. Dinamo goalkeeper Dominik Livaković stood out in both matches with several superb saves.

In that 37th minute on a rainy Zagreb evening, the visitors intercepted the ball and launched a quick counter-attack. Mariano delivered a cross from the right, and Nasri ran in at the near post, stuck out a foot at the top of the six-yard box and placed the ball into the net.

Shortly before the hour mark, the Andalusians had another big chance when Luciano Vietto found himself one-on-one with Livaković and sent the ball wide of the goal. Dinamo then began to apply pressure, which the fans greeted with loud applause. During about ten minutes of Dinamo dominance, chances fell in turn to El Arabi Hilal Soudani, Gordon Schildenfeld and Borna Sosa. However, just as against Lyon in the second half, and against Juventus when Schildenfeld hit the post, the Blues were once again short of a little luck.