Courageous display without reward

Stadium Maksimir, 20.10.2015.

Group F, Champions league, 3. round

GNK Dinamo – FC Olympiakos 0:1 (0:0)

Referees: Paolo Tagliavento, Alessandro Giallatini, Matteo Passeri, Riccardo Di Fiore, 1. DPS: Paolo Valeri, 2. DPS: Daniele Doveri (all Italy)

Attendance: 13678

Dinamo: Eduardo – Matel, Goncalo, Taravel, Pivarić – Machado, Antolić, Rog (87. Ćorić) – Soudani, Fernandes (72. Henriquez), Hodžić (60. Pjaca)

Olympiakos: Roberto – Elabdellaoui, Siovas, Botia, Masuaku – Milivojević, Kasami – Pardo (83. Salino), Fortounis (72. Dominguez), Seba - Ideye

Yellow cards: Taravel (41.), Soudani (80.) / Elabdellaoui (75.), Siovas (81.)

Goal: 0:1 Ideye (79.)

In front of 14 thousand spectators Dinamo played a great game, dominated and hit the post two times but in the end suffered a minimal loss.

Modri opened the game with style, pushed Olympiacos to their half of the pitch and completely dominated for the first 15-20 minutes. In 4-3-3 formation with fantastic captain Antolić along side with Machado and Rog Dinamo controlled the play and quickly in the game started creating chances. First Soudani and Fernandes had their shots saved by Roberto and in the 10th minute of the game Rog made a brilliant run that didn't end with a clear pass.

Pivarić was great on the left side, Dinamo played fast and very good so the fans enjoyed and the Olympiacos players were more than happy with taking 0:0 to halftime. At the start of the second half Modri had their first big chance of the game. Soudani made a nice run and in the end ball came to Antolić who placed a shot from 7-8 metres and hit – the post.

Minute after that, in the 53rd minute, Olympiakos showed how little space they need to create a 100% chance. Pardo escaped on the right flank, made a brilliant pass to Ideye on the far post but he sent the ball beside the post. Soon after that Pjaca and Henriquez entered the game, Dinamo pushed even more and in the 77th minute – another post!

Matel made a cross from the right side, Rog shot was slightly blocked and the ball slowly hit the post. Just like after the first post Olympiacos responded on the other side but this time Ideye was more accurate. It was a long ball in space for Olympiacos striker who came all the way to the goal-out line but still managed to squeeze the ball in the close corner for the lead.

Dinamo didn't give up. Henriquez had a header went centimeters from the post and there was couple of situations in the box but there was no goals. In the final seconds of the game Modri appealed for a penalty after Milivojević played with his hand in the box but Italian referee blew his whistle for – final time.

Dinamo players were dissapointed because they felt like they've earned more than a loss and fans applause after the game confirmed the feeling was true. Modri played a great game and with a bit more luck could've won the game but – that is football. Chance for a rematch is in two weeks and if Dinamo repeats the display from tonight...