Former Dinamo striker confident of Croatian champions' Champions League progression

Mario Gavranović, a former striker for Dinamo Zagreb and the Swiss national team, is confident that the Croatian champions will advance in their Champions League second qualifying round tie against Thun. Despite not attending the first leg in Switzerland due to a vacation in Cyprus, Gavranović watched the match and believes Dinamo performed adequately.

“

In my opinion, Dinamo did not play a bad game. I knew that the artificial turf would not suit the Blues, as it is not easy to adapt to such a surface. I remember it was the same in my time when we played against Young Boys with Dinamo. In the end, the result is good, and in the second leg, the Blues will have everything in their hands on their home turf. I believe they will confirm their favorite role, overcome this obstacle, and take another step towards the Champions League.

"In my opinion, Dinamo did not play a bad game," Gavranović stated. "I knew that the artificial turf would not suit the Blues, as it is not easy to adapt to such a surface. I remember it was the same in my time when we played against Young Boys with Dinamo. In the end, the result is good, and in the second leg, the Blues will have everything in their hands on their home turf. I believe they will confirm their favorite role, overcome this obstacle, and take another step towards the Champions League."

Thun has been a surprise package in the Swiss league, winning the title immediately after promotion. Gavranović acknowledged their progress but pointed out significant changes within the club, including the departure of their successful coach and key players. "Thun has undergone major changes in the meantime. The coach who achieved excellent results with that team left, as did several very important players. Despite this, they played a very good game against Dinamo," he said.

“

Thun has undergone major changes in the meantime. The coach who achieved excellent results with that team left, as did several very important players. Despite this, they played a very good game against Dinamo.

However, Gavranović cautioned Dinamo against underestimating Thun in the second leg. He described Thun as a team that never gives up, aggressive, and physically strong, maintaining their quality and team cohesion despite player and staff changes. "They have a quality team and have remained a cohesive unit, regardless of the departures of important players. Against Dinamo, they once again showed that they can play at a high level and that changes in the squad have clearly not disturbed them or moved them away from their football philosophy. But this was only the first match, and we will see how they look in the continuation," Gavranović added.

“

They have a quality team and have remained a cohesive unit, regardless of the departures of important players. Against Dinamo, they once again showed that they can play at a high level and that changes in the squad have clearly not disturbed them or moved them away from their football philosophy. But this was only the first match, and we will see how they look in the continuation.

Ultimately, Gavranović reiterated his belief in Dinamo's superiority. "In my opinion, Dinamo is the favorite to advance, as they have shown in recent years that they are a serious European team. It is true that Thun has made great progress in the last two years and deservedly won the Swiss championship. But Dinamo has been confirming its European quality for years. I believe they will show it in the return match as well, in which they must present everything that has made them successful in recent years," he concluded.

“

In my opinion, Dinamo is the favorite to advance, as they have shown in recent years that they are a serious European team. It is true that Thun has made great progress in the last two years and deservedly won the Swiss championship. But Dinamo has been confirming its European quality for years. I believe they will show it in the return match as well, in which they must present everything that has made them successful in recent years.