Dinamo Zagreb prepared to adapt for Olympiacos
Monday, October 19, 2015
Article summary
Dinamo Zagreb may have lost just once in 48 games in all competitions but coach Zoran Mamić says they won't be allowed to play the "same attacking football" as usual against Olympiacos.
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Article body
- Dinamo Zagreb welcome Olympiacos to Croatian capital
- Dinamo coach Zoran Mamić knows his team will need to adapt their style
- Croatian side have lost only one of last 48 games in all competitions
- Olympiacos without Esteban Cambiasso due to injury sustained in training on Sunday
- Visiting coach Marco Silva thinks his team are "improving every day"
Possible lineups
Dinamo Zagreb: Eduardo; Pinto, Benković, Taravel, Pivarić; Soudani, Gonçalo Santos, Machado, Antolić, Fernandes; Pjaca.
Out: Schildenfeld (thigh), Pavičić (metatarsal), Ademi (suspended)
Doubtful: Sigali (ligaments)
Olympiacos: Roberto; Elabdellaoui, Botía, Siovas, Salino; Milivojević, Kasami; Pardo, Fortounis, Sebá; Ideye.
Out: Bouchalakis (thigh), Maniatis (knee), Cambiasso (calf)
Zoran Mamić, Dinamo Zagreb coach
We expect a very tough match against top-quality opposition. We are looking forward to it, though, as we want to show our best and we want to win. The quality of opposition means we will not be able to play the same attacking football we normally do in our domestic league. We respect Olympiacos and are aware of their strengths, but football is not predictable.
It was not such a surprise that Olympiacos beat Arsenal in their last game – they play in the Champions League every year and are doing a great job. We know how we want to play, which is similar to how we did when we beat Arsenal, but having an idea and being able to execute it are two very different things.
Marco Silva, Olympiacos coach
I don't agree that we are favourites. Dinamo Zagreb are a good team and I think both sides have an even chance. We are doing a good job and are improving every day. We played with different tactics in our first two matches, because against class teams like Bayern you have to adjust your game. Maybe we will try to do the same against Dinamo Zagreb or maybe we will try something new, but we will see the situation on the pitch and react accordingly.
We will not be happy with a draw, even though we still have to play Dinamo Zagreb and Arsenal at home. We prepare for every match with the intention of winning it and this is no different.
Weekend results
Dinamo Zagreb 4-1 NK Zagreb (Fernandes 17 35, Hodžić 55, Henríquez 68; Boban 1)
Gabrijel Boban's first-minute effort stunned the leaders on Friday but Junior Fernandes struck twice before the break. Armin Hodžić and Ángelo Henríquez took the game away from the visitors after half-time.
Olympiacos 4-0 AEK (Botía 28, Ideye 70, Fortounis 78, 90+3pen)
It is seven wins out of seven for Olympiacos in the league this season after a comfortable derby triumph. Alberto Botía got the only first-half goal but Ideye Brown made it two in the 70th minute and Kostas Fortounis was then introduced to score twice, the second a penalty.
Form guide (all competitions, most recent first)
Dinamo Zagreb: WDLWWD
Olympiacos: WWWWWL
Reporter's view: Vjekoslav Paun
This could be the pivotal match for the Modri. Win and they'll take a huge step towards springtime football in Europe, a dream of more than 40 years for Dinamo supporters. Pinto will be ready, Gonçalo Santos and Machado have the inside track on the Olympiacos coach. Olympiacos openly say that one point from the Maksimir would be a huge disappointment
Did you know?
The sides have met on four occasions and the only one not to have been won by the home team was the last, a 1-1 draw in Zagreb in the 1998/99 UEFA Champions League group stage; find out more in our extensive match background.