What a start to the season: a derby, six goals in total, but no winner, the opening of the east stand, the debut of the then young and talented right winger, Zdenko Kobešćak... Many events unfolded at the start of the league season.

Dinamo and Partizan played out a 3-3 draw in front of 50,000 spectators who from that day had somewhat more space available: it was the first match played in front of the newly built east stand of Maksimir Stadium. The visitors took the lead as early as the 7th minute when Vladica Kovačević stole the ball in the heart of Dinamo's defence and effortlessly sent it under the crossbar. The Blues turned the result around in the closing stages of the first half within a span of five minutes. First, Dražan Jerković equalised in the 36th minute with an assist from Željko Perušić, then in the 41st minute Slaven Zambata shot, goalkeeper Milutin Šoškić saved the ball, but debutant Kobešćak pounced on the rebound and shook the net. Branislav Mihajlović scored from the edge of the penalty area in the 53rd minute to make it 2-2, but just two minutes later Zambata crossed and Jerković scored to restore the Blues' lead. A point for the visitors was secured by Lazar Radović in the 61st minute after a skilful cross from Fahrudin Jusufi.