What Can Sunderland Expect From Croatian Champions Dinamo Zagreb?

Dinamo won both the Croatian league and cup last season under Mario Kovačević.

How would you reflect on that campaign and what were the expectations among supporters heading into this season?

Last season's campaign went about as well as Dinamo wanted after not winning anything the season prior; they dominated and returned to their usual form. They always want to win the domestic double; they essentially take it for granted. So the real challenges/expectations come in Europe, with them being back in the UCL qualifiers; the club and the fans want to return to the UCL. This didn't happen, as they lost to the Norwegian side, Viking, because of their poor defensive lapses in concentration, as they conceded two goals in quick succession in both legs. This left the fans mad at the higher-ups for not bringing in immediate improvements for the squad beforehand, and at the coach for the poor reactions from the team.

Last season's campaign went about as well as Dinamo wanted after not winning anything the season prior; they dominated and returned to their usual form.

They always want to win the domestic double; they essentially take it for granted. So the real challenges/expectations come in Europe, with them being back in the UCL qualifiers; the club and the fans want to return to the UCL.

This didn't happen, as they lost to the Norwegian side, Viking, because of their poor defensive lapses in concentration, as they conceded two goals in quick succession in both legs.

This left the fans mad at the higher-ups for not bringing in immediate improvements for the squad beforehand, and at the coach for the poor reactions from the team.

Dinamo currently sit second behind Hajduk in the league and Saturday's shock 1-0 defeat to Rudeš ultimately proved to be Mario Kovačević's final match.

It's just the players' form; everybody except Dion Drena Beljo is struggling to play at a good level game after game. The defence, especially, has been the most inconsistent. Consistently losing their man or having poor reactions inside the box. Kovačević has tried to tweak a few things, with some changes to the starting XIs here and there, but nothing has clicked. Even if a player performed well in one match, the next, he doesn't.

It's just the players' form; everybody except Dion Drena Beljo is struggling to play at a good level game after game.

The defence, especially, has been the most inconsistent. Consistently losing their man or having poor reactions inside the box.

Kovačević has tried to tweak a few things, with some changes to the starting XIs here and there, but nothing has clicked. Even if a player performed well in one match, the next, he doesn't.

Kovačević left the club by mutual consent just four days before the trip to Sunderland despite winning the double last season.

Were you surprised by that decision and do you think it was the right one?

Not surprised by the decision at all; it was a long time coming, as in September fans were already calling for his departure after really poor performances vs. Istra, Osijek and Hapoel Be'er Sheva. Even in victories, Dinamo were unconvincing and barely got them over the line, as they were put under serious pressure by Gorica and Lokomotiv, for example. I think it's the right decision, because at the end of the day, Kovačević has struggled a LOT and hasn't delivered after saying time and time again, "We need to improve next match," and that never happened. It seems like the pressure of a bad slump really got to him, since it's the first one he's had that is this bad. But the board of Dinamo also has to answer for a shocking transfer window where they made no real signings ahead of the UCL play-off, signing all their real squad assets after they had been knocked out.

Not surprised by the decision at all; it was a long time coming, as in September fans were already calling for his departure after really poor performances vs.

Istra, Osijek and Hapoel Be'er Sheva. Even in victories, Dinamo were unconvincing and barely got them over the line, as they were put under serious pressure by Gorica and Lokomotiv, for example. I think it's the right decision, because at the end of the day, Kovačević has struggled a LOT and hasn't delivered after saying time and time again, "We need to improve next match," and that never happened.

It seems like the pressure of a bad slump really got to him, since it's the first one he's had that is this bad. But the board of Dinamo also has to answer for a shocking transfer window where they made no real signings ahead of the UCL play-off, signing all their real squad assets after they had been knocked out.

Former Dinamo and Croatia midfielder Jerko Leko has stepped up from the B team and will take charge against Sunderland.

What do supporters make of Leko and are you expecting him to change much tactically at such short notice?

I don't expect many tactical changes; maybe a few players get slightly different tasks, because since president Zvonimir Boban came in, Dinamo have switched to playing a 4-3-3 throughout the club, all the youth teams and the senior team. So what I and the fans see Leko changing is the mental side of the team, because he has a presence and a decent reputation inside Croatian football, Dinamo especially. Kovačević was very much a good/nice guy, down-to-earth with the players. But considering the club that Dinamo is, the feeling is that they need authority inside the dressing room right now, because being nice is hardly going to get them over the line. Leko strikes you as someone who'll go into the dressing room and at least get them motivated.

I don't expect many tactical changes; maybe a few players get slightly different tasks, because since president Zvonimir Boban came in, Dinamo have switched to playing a 4-3-3 throughout the club, all the youth teams and the senior team.

So what I and the fans see Leko changing is the mental side of the team, because he has a presence and a decent reputation inside Croatian football, Dinamo especially. Kovačević was very much a good/nice guy, down-to-earth with the players.

But considering the club that Dinamo is, the feeling is that they need authority inside the dressing room right now, because being nice is hardly going to get them over the line. Leko strikes you as someone who'll go into the dressing room and at least get them motivated.

Dinamo have taken four points from their opening three Europa League matches with a draw against Hapoel Beer-Sheva, a win over Anderlecht and a 4-2 defeat to NEC.

How would you assess the European campaign so far?

The Europa League campaign has been poor, just 4 points where fans and myself expected 7 or even 9 given they played two home matches and their easiest away trip, which was a neutral stadium as well. And now the schedule is anything but good (Sunderland A, Leverkusen H, Rennes A, AZ A, Sturm H). If the team can't muster up a few good results, they'll be out of the Europa League, which would be an embarrassment, as Dinamo is rarely knocked out of the 2nd-tier UEFA competition in the league/group stage.

The Europa League campaign has been poor, just 4 points where fans and myself expected 7 or even 9 given they played two home matches and their easiest away trip, which was a neutral stadium as well.

And now the schedule is anything but good (Sunderland A, Leverkusen H, Rennes A, AZ A, Sturm H). If the team can't muster up a few good results, they'll be out of the Europa League, which would be an embarrassment, as Dinamo is rarely knocked out of the 2nd-tier UEFA competition in the league/group stage.

Dion Beljo has scored three goals in the Europa League and is currently joint-top scorer in the competition.

How important is he to Dinamo and what makes him such a difficult striker to defend against?

How important he is is probably best to tell you like this: if Dinamo didn't have Beljo in the league, they would go from 2nd to 8th. Going from title challengers to fighting relegation. And the club reportedly had a €20M offer for him in the summer, but thankfully refused to sell. Because it's very hard to envision this Dinamo side without him. He's scored and assisted a ridiculous number of goals this season and even the entire year for the fact. What makes him hard to defend is just his strong, tall build; he's good with the ball at his feet. Can play with his back to goal or just be a poacher, as his movement inside the box is world-class. And then his finishing, always finds a way to finish, let it be a bicycle kick, karate chop volley, bullet header, you name it.

How important he is is probably best to tell you like this: if Dinamo didn't have Beljo in the league, they would go from 2nd to 8th.

Going from title challengers to fighting relegation. And the club reportedly had a €20M offer for him in the summer, but thankfully refused to sell.

Because it's very hard to envision this Dinamo side without him. He's scored and assisted a ridiculous number of goals this season and even the entire year for the fact. What makes him hard to defend is just his strong, tall build; he's good with the ball at his feet.

Can play with his back to goal or just be a poacher, as his movement inside the box is world-class. And then his finishing, always finds a way to finish, let it be a bicycle kick, karate chop volley, bullet header, you name it.

Luka Ivanušec returned to Dinamo this summer after three years away with Feyenoord and PAOK.

How significant was it to bring him back and what does he add to this team?

Ivanušec was an amazing player in his first tenure at the club; now he's come back after a few injuries and spells of not playing. It wasn't really a significant signing per se; it was just an easy pick-up for Dinamo, as they knew they could get him as he's fallen. And so far, he's been a shred of his former self. But at least he's versatile and can play as an 8 or out wide on the wing, so that's what he mainly adds to the team. But if he can get back up to speed, Dinamo will have another brilliant creative outlet behind Beljo and the rest of the attack.

Ivanušec was an amazing player in his first tenure at the club; now he's come back after a few injuries and spells of not playing. It wasn't really a significant signing per se; it was just an easy pick-up for Dinamo, as they knew they could get him as he's fallen.

And so far, he's been a shred of his former self. But at least he's versatile and can play as an 8 or out wide on the wing, so that's what he mainly adds to the team. But if he can get back up to speed, Dinamo will have another brilliant creative outlet behind Beljo and the rest of the attack.

Dinamo have plenty of other experienced and talented players including Josip Mišić, Luka Stojković, Mislav Oršić and Arbër Hoxha.

Aside from Beljo who should Sunderland supporters be most wary of on Thursday night?

Aside from Beljo, Stojković is probably the name the Sunderland fans need to look out for. He has an outrageous right foot with which he can score from almost anywhere. On top of that, he can play those killer passes in behind the defence.

Aside from Beljo, Stojković is probably the name the Sunderland fans need to look out for.

He has an outrageous right foot with which he can score from almost anywhere. On top of that, he can play those killer passes in behind the defence.

From a tactical perspective what are Dinamo's biggest strengths and where do you think Sunderland can cause them problems at the Stadium of Light?

You will definitely cause them problems defensively; their last line is high, which is one area I hope Leko fixes, to just make the defence more wary of it, as they've gotten caught out a lot of times because of it in the last month. As for strengths, it really is just getting the ball to Beljo, attacking-wise. If you can close down the wingers and the 8s that push forward in time, there's little Dinamo can do offensively. It would also help if you can get Mišić a man marker; he's the 6 connecting the defence and attack with his simple yet effective passes.

You will definitely cause them problems defensively; their last line is high, which is one area I hope Leko fixes, to just make the defence more wary of it, as they've gotten caught out a lot of times because of it in the last month.

As for strengths, it really is just getting the ball to Beljo, attacking-wise. If you can close down the wingers and the 8s that push forward in time, there's little Dinamo can do offensively. It would also help if you can get Mišić a man marker; he's the 6 connecting the defence and attack with his simple yet effective passes.

Sunderland are unbeaten after their first three Europa League matches.

What sort of game are you expecting and what is your score prediction?

I'm expecting at least a mature performance from Dinamo; against, Rudeš, they were very, very nervous and yelling at the ref for every single call he made. And I'm hoping for a defensively ok performance. The result I'm expecting is a draw, hopefully as low scoring as possible, I think both teams would probably agree.

I'm expecting at least a mature performance from Dinamo; against, Rudeš, they were very, very nervous and yelling at the ref for every single call he made.

And I'm hoping for a defensively ok performance. The result I'm expecting is a draw, hopefully as low scoring as possible, I think both teams would probably agree.