Mehmeti hopes for Malmö miracle against Dinamo

Malmö FF trail GNK Dinamo Zagreb 4-1 from the away leg of their UEFA Champions League play-off, but the Swedish side are refusing to throw in the towel.

After beating Rangers FC in the third qualifying round, Malmö received a crushing disappointment in Croatia, but Agon Mehmeti – scorer of their goal last Wednesday – felt all was not lost yet. "We only had one shot on their goal in the whole match, and that's not Malmö," said the 21-year-old forward. "We just have to believe that we can do it. Nobody believed in us against Rangers."

Coach Rikard Norling will be without captain Daniel Andersson, who fractured a rib in the first leg, with Yago Fernández likely to take his place, partnering Pontus Jansson at the centre of defence. First-choice left-back Ricardinho also returns from suspension, and Norling said: "We're very strong with our fans behind us. If we can get a goal or two, you never know what might happen."

Dinamo set off for Sweden on Monday with little cause for concern. On Saturday they beat NK Osijek 4-0 away from home despite resting star player Sammir along with forwards Ante Rukavina and Ivan Krstanović, as well as Portuguese defender Tonel. Instead, Krunoslav Jurčić's young talents shone, with two goals for 19-year-old Mario Šitum and another for Mateo Kovačić, just 17.

Mehmed Alispahić and Arijan Ademi have joined Igor Bišćan and Mathias Chago on Dinamo's injured list, but since all four missed the first leg too, Jurčić is not too perturbed. "After a good match against Malmö, I rotated the team and rested a few players, and the ones that came in against Osijek took their chance in the best possible way. I know I can count on them in any situation. This has helped to create an even more positive atmosphere ahead of the match in Malmo."