Čačić faith undimmed ahead of PSG test

Undeterred by an eight-game losing streak in the UEFA Champions League group stage, not to mention facing one of the "best four players in the world", Ante Čačić remains confident that GNK Dinamo Zagreb can get off the mark in Group A on Wednesday. The visitors to the Croatian capital are Paris Saint-Germain FC, beaten 1-0 at FC Porto last time out but determined to live up to billing.

Dinamo
Coach Ante Čačić
We are playing against the top team from one of the five best leagues in Europe, so we are looking forward to this match. Just playing in the Champions League group stage for the second consecutive year is a great achievement for us. This season we have a duty to be better than last year. That means we want to win a few points and we will try to do that against Paris Saint-Germain.

We are not blind; we are aware that we are playing against a top team with world-class players and a world-class coach. If we remain concentrated for the full 90 minutes, why can't we get something from this match? Football is a game where the favourites don't always win.

Zlatan Ibrahimović is a top-class player, probably among the best four in the world. If we manage to isolate him he will be less dangerous for us. All our players need to help each other to do that. I know my players believe they can get at least a draw. However, it is one thing to believe and have hope before a match. The game itself is another matter.

Weekend result
Saturday: NK Inter Zaprešić 0-2 Dinamo (Puljić 61, Čop 82)
Kelava; Vrsaljko, Puljić, Šimunić, Pivarić; Ademi (Sammir 58), Brozović; Ibáñez, Kovačić (Alispahić 46), Čop; Krstanović (Halilović 73).

• The introduction of Brazilian-born midfielder Sammir, capped for the first time by Croatia last week, inspired Dinamo to their third successive First League win. Ante Puljić's goal was his first for the club.

Team news
Arijan Ademi looks likely to miss out with a toe injury sustained at the weekend, while Ivan Tomečak remains sidelined because of a problem with his pubic bone.

PSG
Coach Carlo Ancelotti
Like in Porto [PSG lost 1-0], we will do our best in Zagreb. This is the Champions League and everyone needs to give their best in such an elite competition. This is a very important match for us. It is clear that our ambition is to reach the next round and that's why we will do everything to win this game. Our problem is that we are lacking experience, which was clear to see in Porto. We need to go step by step and try to go as far as possible in the competition.

This match will be an opportunity for [Javier] Pastore and [Jérémy] Ménez to emerge from the background and to prove once again that they can deliver performances. I really hope they will give their best and play well.

There is always tension and pressure in the team ahead of a match, especially before Champions League fixtures. We still need to play four games and the tension is there, but that is quite common and quite normal.

Weekend result
Saturday: PSG 1-0 Stade de Reims Champagne (Gameiro 65)
Sirigu; Van der Wiel, Alex, Sakho (Sissoko 78), Armand; Nenê (Ménez 46), Thiago Silva, Matuidi, Maxwell; Ibrahimović, Gameiro (Jallet 72).

• Kevin Gameiro marked his second Ligue 1 start of the campaign with the winning goal. On his first start, three weeks ago against FC Sochaux-Montbéliard, he had scored twice.

Team news
Mamadou Sakho has not travelled after sustaining a thigh injury at the weekend. He joins Nenê (broken cheekbone), Clément Chantôme (thigh), Ezequiel Lavezzi (thigh), Thiago Motta (back) and Diego Lugano (knee) on the treatment table.

Match fact
This is the first time PSG have faced opponents from Croatia. Dinamo's last taste of Ligue 1 opposition was a 7-1 home defeat by Olympique Lyonnais on 7 December 2011, their biggest loss in UEFA competition and a third successive home reverse against a French team.