Ahead of the match with 'Kauno Žalgiris' – opponent's confidence: everything will depend on us

Dinamo Zagreb is set to face Lithuanian side Kauno Žalgiris in the third qualifying round of a European competition. The first match will take place in Zagreb's Maksimir Stadium on Tuesday evening, with the return leg scheduled for a week later in Lithuania.

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On paper, we are favorites, but we have to prove it on the field. 'Žalgiris' has overcome two qualifying stages, they are a serious team. Besides, they are coached by our former coach Željko Sopičius, who knows us very well.

Kauno Žalgiris has already demonstrated their capability by successfully navigating the first two qualifying stages. They defeated Kosovo champions Drita with an aggregate score of 4-3 and subsequently eliminated the top team from the Faroe Islands, KÍ Klaksvik, with a 1-0 victory. This achievement has already secured them a place in the main stage of the UEFA Conference League, but the Lithuanian champions are aiming for further progress in the tournament.

Dinamo's coach, Igor Kovačević, admitted that while the Croatian team is the favorite on paper, they must prove their superiority on the pitch. He acknowledged Kauno Žalgiris as a serious team, especially given their qualification successes and the presence of their coach, Željko Sopičius, who previously coached Dinamo and knows the club well. "We don't shy away from the favorite's role, but what does it really mean? On paper, we are favorites, but we have to prove it on the field," Kovačević stated.

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It wasn't easy to change the course of the match with 'Thun', but it served as a warning to us that we must start matches better. There are no easy opponents, so we have to be careful.

Kovačević also reflected on Dinamo's previous match against Thun, where they came back from a deficit to win in extra time. He stressed the importance of starting matches stronger and maintaining a high tempo throughout. "There are no easy opponents, so we have to be careful. We've had problems in the opening minutes of games since the start of the season. This time, we have to press the opponents hard from the very beginning and maintain the right rhythm for the entire match," he added. He anticipates an optimistic opponent who has achieved significant success and will be looking to secure a good result in Zagreb before the home leg.

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We know that Sopičius is a master of defense. Sometimes his team presses high, but usually relies on solid defense. However, everything will depend on us. If we are who we are supposed to be, and together with our fans we put pressure on them, everything will be fine.