Dinamo cruises past Slaven Belupo to open season, coach praises Stojković

Dinamo Zagreb began their new HNL season with a convincing 2-0 victory over Slaven Belupo at Maksimir Stadium. Striker Dion Drena Beljo proved decisive, netting both goals to carry his excellent form from the previous season, where he scored an impressive 31 goals.

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It wasn't easy, everyone is somewhat light in the first rounds, everyone is good. They threatened, I am glad for Filipović that he gained confidence with those saves, it turned out well. After that, we scored nicely, hit the frame three times, we should have scored more.

Coach Mario Kovačević acknowledged the challenges of the opening match, noting the team's rotation to give opportunities to new players. "It wasn't easy, everyone is somewhat light in the first rounds, everyone is good," Kovačević stated. He expressed satisfaction with the team's overall performance, particularly highlighting goalkeeper Filipović's confidence-building saves and the team's ability to find the net, despite hitting the woodwork three times.

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He hasn't played an official match in a long time, I said everything will come. You saw that one move with the second goal, it's worth coming to the match for that. I am satisfied, he played all 90 minutes, maybe I could have substituted him, but I can't change everything during the match. There is time, the next match is in four days.

Kovačević also commented on the return of Luka Stojković, who played the full 90 minutes. "He hasn't played an official match in a long time, I said everything will come. You saw that one move with the second goal, it's worth coming to the match for that," the coach remarked, pleased with Stojković's contribution and potential.

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We looked at them a bit against Klaksvik, there are no easy opponents anymore. OK, let's not lie, it's not some great team, but Željko Sopić knows us well. He is doing an excellent job with them, they are coming to Zagreb on the wave of those successes now, with great will and desire, we have to be careful and believe in ourselves. We started the season well, we will grow through matches, I want us to be even better on Tuesday.

The team is now focusing on their upcoming match against Žalgiris in the Europa Conference League. Kovačević acknowledged the opponent's current momentum but stressed the importance of caution and self-belief. "We have to be careful and believe in ourselves. We started the season well, we will grow through matches, I want us to be even better on Tuesday," he said.

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It was especially nice, that first goal, well, let him just keep scoring. He is doing well, now everything is coming back to him. As we grow, it will be easier for him. He does many things that we ask of him, his approach pleases me.