I congratulate my players on a great performance and the win, stressed Dinamo coach Mario Kovačević after his team convincingly outplayed Slaven Belupo 5-1 in Koprivnica.

– The hosts started the match very well in the first 10 or 15 minutes. We didn't react as well as we should have, and they had one or two chances where our goalkeeper prevented a goal. After that we were really good, the way we want to be. We scored goals and created chances. There were some technical mistakes along the way, but we are working, we are trying, we want to improve... The reward came in the form of these five goals. The fans can be satisfied. There were a lot of changes in the starting lineup, and later on we also wanted to rest some players. We are looking forward to Thursday's European match with optimism.

The team's tremendous desire to win was especially visible.

– I keep saying that we needed wins like this to give us a bit of a lift. The desire is there to see, and I am sure we will be even better technically and create even more chances. We have somehow come through this virus, and we hope everyone stays healthy.

Dinamo looked superb as a team, and a number of individuals stood out as well: Dominik Kotarski made excellent saves, Dion Drena Beljo scored twice, Mislav Oršić provided two assists, Niko Galešić and Miha Zajc found the net, and Dani Rodriguez played in the starting lineup for the first time, won a penalty and later scored from open play...

– They were excellent, and with performances like these they lift everyone else in the squad. We want everyone to be like that. Take Rodriguez, who started a match for the first time. I'm pleased with his reaction, and you saw that he is a great player. We are bringing him back gradually after he hadn't played for a long time. As we said, our wings are slowly waking up. Arbër Hoxha was good in the last European match against Anderlecht, and we needed to wake up the right side as well. We have strong competition in the squad, which is how it should be. We have a large number of matches ahead of us, and everyone will get opportunities. Most of the players are in good form, and the task of my staff and me as head coach is to make the players and the team even better – added coach Kovačević.

Dinamo's vice-captain Miha Zajc also greeted the final whistle with a broad smile.

– This is a big win, and it wasn't as straightforward as the score might suggest. We played a good match, and I think that is a good sign ahead of our next challenge in Europe.

Dinamo beat Anderlecht 1-0 on Thursday, and next week another European tie awaits at Maksimir Stadium, this time against Dutch side NEC Nijmegen.

– Of course, the win against Anderlecht is very important. It showed that we are a team and that we have the strength and belief to keep going until the end of the match. Now, in Koprivnica, some other players got their chance, and what matters is that we all show desire and take responsibility. I'm pleased that we looked even better as a team. My goal? Of course it means a lot to me, but the win is more important. What matters is that we get into a run of good performances and wins. The match against NEC is next, and we have to show what we are capable of and play even better than we have so far. It will be an open match. We know they are good, but we need to prepare well and go out to win – added Zajc.