Dinamo Zagreb triumphed logically at the Slovan Bratislava stadium, securing an important victory with a score of 1-4 against the Slovak team, who are yet to earn any points. They are currently the worst team in the competition, having conceded the most goals and possessing the lowest squad value. This situation is somewhat understandable given that it is their first time competing in the group stage of the Champions League, now a league format. The Croatians now sit on 7 points out of a possible 12, earning the right to dream of being among the top 24 teams. According to ‘the milkmaid’s calculations’, twelve points should suffice for qualification.
The match started well for Vladimir Weiss’s team (father), whose son is part of the squad and is a former Espanyol player, as they took the lead in just five minutes thanks to a goal from Strelec (5′). The local team ignited excitement with a well-executed counterattack where Marcelli finished, but Spanish defender Raúl Torrente saved it on the line, inadvertently leaving the ball loose for Strelec to push it into the net.
The good start from the home side surprised the Croatians, but they quickly reacted. They equalized through a personal effort from Spikic, who penetrated the area and finished at the near post past Takac, who despite being a good goalkeeper, had a rough night (10′).
The Slovaks’ defensive frailty would not allow them to compete for points. Once the equalizer was scored, Dinamo Zagreb accelerated the pace at will. The visitors took the lead again with a perfect cross from Pjaca to Sucic, who arrived late and scored with a header (30′). Notably, Sucic has a cousin, Luka Sucic, who plays for Real Sociedad.
Slovan Bratislava’s last chance came after halftime. From a corner, they nearly leveled the match thanks to a poor clearance from Zagorac, but a defender managed to clear it off the line, putting an end to their hopes.
The celebration belonged to Kulenovic, who scored a brace, bringing his tally to three goals in three Champions League matches. His first goal started with a play down the left by Pjaca, who advanced effortlessly until the edge of the area, delivering a cross that took a deflection off a defender, falling kindly at the feet of the striker, who simply had to tap it in.
In the 72nd minute, he secured his second with a lovely half-turn. Receiving the ball at the edge of the area, he created space and placed it into the far corner. Not a bad finish at all.
