On Wednesday, Dinamo Zagreb welcomes Borussia Dortmund to Stadion Maksimir for matchday five of the UEFA Champions League. With both sides needing important points, this game promises fireworks as the Croatian champions host an inconsistent Bundesliga outfit.
Match Preview
Dinamo Zagreb: To Sustain Knockout Chances
Dinamo Zagreb goes into this game following an emphatic 4-1 win over Slovan Bratislava, despite first-half stats that didn’t look too good for them. They have been consistent performers under Nenad Bjelica, having lost only once in their last 11 matches across all competitions.
Key takeaways for Zagreb are:
Sitting third in their domestic league, four points from the top-placed Hajduk Split.
Four victories in their last six games.
But the side has underperformed at home, losing their last three games at Stadion Maksimir while keeping just one clean sheet in their last six home outings.
Borussia Dortmund: Fighting Away-Game Blues
Dortmund arrives in Zagreb after easing pressure with a 4-0 Bundesliga victory over Freiburg. Despite a strong start to the season, Nuri Sahin’s side has seen a dip in form, with five losses in their last nine matches across all competitions.
Notable points about Dortmund:
Fifth in the Bundesliga, one point off a Champions League qualification spot.
Poor away form, with six consecutive losses, conceding 18 goals and scoring just six.
While Dortmund’s recent home form is good, their poor road form may prove very costly in this match.
Form Guide
Dinamo Zagreb (Champions League): WWLDWW
Dinamo Zagreb (All Competitions): WLWWDD
Borussia Dortmund (Champions League): WWLW
Borussia Dortmund (All Competitions): LLWWLW
Team News and Predicted Lineups
Dinamo Zagreb Team News
Dinamo will be without defensive midfielder Josip Misic and forwards Bruno Petkovic and Juan Cordoba with the latter trio injured. Manager Nenad Bjelica may deploy a front three comprising Dario Spikic, Sandro Kulenovic, and Marko Pjaca.
Key Player: Marko Pjaca, whose creativity in attack is needed more now than ever in Zagreb.
Predicted Lineup:
Formation: 4-3-3
Starting XI: Zagorac; Ristovski, Theophile-Catherine, Torrente, Ogiwara; Kacavenda, Bernauer, Baturina; Spikic, Kulenovic, Pjaca
Borussia Dortmund Team News
This makes Dortmund without the injured trio of Karim Adeyemi with a hamstring problem, Kjell Watjen, and Niklas Sule. Serhou Guirassy may return to a limited capacity, while Julian Brandt, Donyell Malen, and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens can lead the attack.
Key Player: Donyell Malen, the scorer of the late winner against Sturm Graz.
Predicted Lineup:
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Starting XI: Kobel; Ryerson, Anton, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini; Nmecha, Can; Malen, Brandt, Bynoe-Gittens; Beier
Match Prediction
Dinamo Zagreb 2-2 Borussia Dortmund
While recent form gives a slight advantage to Dortmund, yet the grossly dismal away record of the Germans cannot be looked over. Dinamo’s resilience at home might get them a point in this expectant encounter.
