A debut in front of home fans in the league phase of European competition... That detail alone is enough of a challenge and incentive for the Maksimir footballers to make a fresh start with full commitment and optimism. The Blues will host Belgian side Anderlecht on Thursday at 9 PM at their home ground in the 2nd round of the Europa League. The clash comes after a narrow league defeat against Hajduk in Split, and follows the opening league phase match where Dinamo played 0-0 away against Israeli side Hapoel Beer Sheva on neutral ground in Bucharest.

– I believe we will react well, we need one good match to start a positive run... We're working well, we can't wait for the match, a victory like that would lift us, we'll do everything to succeed in that – highlighted Dinamo coach Mario Kovačević.

Journalists were interested to know if some players, given the lack of desired form, have exhausted their credit with the coach? Will there be changes in the team?

– We'll see. There will certainly be changes, we'll see how many. We played against Hajduk in Split after a three-week league break, many players were with their national teams and those first matches after a break tend to be tricky. We started well in the match in Split, we took the lead, but unfortunately we didn't succeed, I can't be satisfied. The lads really worked well even before Hajduk, there's an opportunity to show that on the pitch on Thursday. There will be changes. Luka Stojković has been training which is very important, captain Josip Mišić is returning to us. We have minor problems with a virus similar to what we had before the match in Split. Again two, three players couldn't train due to the virus. Who? Stjepan Radeljić and Scott McKenna.

Does coach Kovačević feel the imperative to win this match?

– I want to win every match, I don't think about what happened before. We've prepared for Anderlecht who really have a good team, but we're doing everything to get the victory.

What are Anderlecht's main characteristics?

– They are a proper European team, they have two or three more experienced players, the rest are mostly young. They're a running team, fast, they play direct, vertical football and we'll really have to be good. They're tricky, they have good individuals, especially wing forwards, the full-backs push forward a lot... They are a team in the true sense, danger lurks from all players. It won't be easy for us, but I think we can match them in those things. If we're good and compact, we can win.

Coach Kovačević again emphasized that he expects a positive reaction from his players, similar to last season when they also quickly bounced back after weaker results.

– I expect a good reaction, I know we can do better. I don't doubt my team, we need that one good result to get going, it will come naturally. I want us to enter a positive series like we recently had a run of 28 league matches without defeat. We still have to work on having possession, keeping the ball and being more dangerous. Unfortunately, some players aren't in the form they were last season, but as I say, it will come naturally.

Dinamo has recorded only three victories in 11 European matches in league phases.

– I wouldn't say the standards have been lowered, we want victory, but it's not easy. Unfortunately, we made mistakes, and opponents in Europe punish all of that. Last season we got through the league phase, our wish is to do that now too. I believe we can do it – concluded coach Kovačević.

Maksimir midfielder Luka Ivanušec is on a similar wavelength of thinking.

– I think we started the match well at Poljud, I think the problem later was that we didn't play our game too much, we relied too much on long balls, we should have kept possession a bit more as we agreed before the match. We're in a phase where we need one positive result to regroup and enter the continuation of the season more calmly.

What kind of Dinamo can the fans expect?

– Europe is an opportunity to improve our impression, the stands will be full, we have to give our all, repay the people who will come. We owe that to ourselves and to all the fans who will come to the match.

In which position does Ivanušec feel better, in midfield or on the wing?

– I have no preferences. After all, even when I play as a '10' I drift to the left. And when I play on the left I move into the center... I can do both.

What can we expect from Anderlecht?

– I think we can play with them, I expect a tough match, Anderlecht is a good, serious team, they have several players who can cause problems. It's up to us to be concentrated, to press them, not to allow them in our pressing to get in front of our goal. Of course, they'll have their moments too and we have to defend there.

Would Ivanušec be satisfied with a point in this match?

– No. I think we have to start working on a winning mentality, we are Dinamo, we're playing at our stadium, in front of our fans and we have to go for three points – added Ivanušec.