The Champions League match between Slovakian champions Slovan Bratislava and Croatian giants Dinamo Zagreb is expected to be an important encounter for both sides when the teams clash on Tuesday at Stadion Tehelne Pole. Slovan, who continue to play bottom of the group in 36th place on zero points, will try to go all out to pick up a positive result against Dinamo, who have retained their playoff position in 22nd place with four points after three matchweeks.
Match Preview
Slovan Bratislava
This has been a Champions League campaign of mixed, more often heavy defeats: the 5-1 defeat at Celtic, the 4-0 defeat at Manchester City are only the latest ones. At the weekend’s action, Slovan hardly created any scoring chance against Girona – only 36% of possession, lost 2-0.
Domestically, however, Slovan remain giants. They lead the Slovakian league with 31 points from a possible 12, one point ahead of Zilina, but they have a game in hand. Weiss’s team is currently on a run of three successive domestic victories, and though their Champions League form has been nothing to write home about, they can fall back on their reasonable record at Stadion Tehelne Pole, having won four of their last five Champions League outings on home soil.
Dinamo Zagreb
Meanwhile, Dinamo Zagreb enter this game standing in a playoff position in the Champions League, just a point ahead of Bayern Munich. Dinamo’s last European match ended in a 2-0 win over Red Bull Salzburg, a match in which they had much of the control even after Salzburg went down to 10 men in the 66th minute.
Under the charge of coach Nenad Bjelica, Dinamo has experienced a see-saw ride in its Champions League campaign this season, from an embarrassing defeat of 9-2 against Bayern in its opening game to working its way up to third place in the Croatian league, managing 23 points in twelve matches-only four behind the league leaders Hajduk Split. This would put them in good stead for the upcoming fixture as they have been in stellar form of late, including four wins in their last five away from home.
Team News
Slovan Bratislava
Slovan Bratislava will also be without influential midfielder Juraj Kucka, out with a meniscus injury until mid-December, and forward Robert Mak until late November. Manager Weiss is likely to use Kenan Bajric, Guram Kashia, and Kevin Wimmer as a defensive trio in front of goalkeeper Dominik Takac. Danylo Ignatenko and Kyriakos Savvidis may feature together in midfield, while up-front, the trio of Tigran Barseghyan, Marko Tolic, and David Strelec will lead the attack.
Dinamo Zagreb
Bruno Petkovic and Ivan Nevistic will not play; Dinamo Zagreb’s starting lineup will lack the striker and the goalkeeper, respectively. Veteran Danijel Zagorac is expected to start between the posts while Sandro Kulenovic will spearhead the attack, supported by playmaker Martin Baturina. A strong midfield is expected to consist of Petar Sucic, Arijan Ademi, and Josip Misic, with Ademi deeper in the middle.
Predicted Lineups
Slovan Bratislava Starting Lineup Expected:
Takac; Bajric, Kashia, Wimmer; Blackman, Ignatenko, Savvidis, Zuberu; Barseghyan, Tolic; Strelec
Probable Dinamo Zagreb Starting Lineup:
Zagorac; Theophile-Catherine, Bernauer, Torrente; Ristovski, Sucic, Ademi, Misic, Ogiwara; Baturina, Kulenovic
Prediction:
Slovan Bratislava 1-2 Dinamo Zagreb
While Slovan Bratislava’s domestic form remains solid, their Champions League woes may continue against Dinamo Zagreb’s stubborn side. Strong away form may tip the favor in Dinamo’s way, as the Croatian champions are likely to emerge as narrow 2-1 winners on Tuesday.
