Article by Eduard Apostol – Published on Thursday, 22 January 2026, 01:22 / Updated on Thursday, 22 January 2026 01:25
Journalist Damir Dobrinic, from Sportske Novosti, the only Croatian daily sports newspaper, gave GSP.ro readers an analysis of Dinamo Zagreb ahead of tonight's clash with FCSB (10:00 p.m., “Maksimir” stadium). The Croatians consider the confrontation with the Romanian champion accessible! Details about what atmosphere can be in the stadium and how Croatians perceive Gigi Becali.
FCSB did not give up on the European dream. He is looking to get a positive result with Dinamo today in Zagreb, from 22:00 on “Maksimir”, one that will keep the red-blue team in the fight for the European spring.
The formation chaired by the legendary Zvonimir Boban, which is one point ahead of the Romanians in the XXL group standings, aims for the same.
Damir Dobrinic is a reporter/editor in the Football Department at Sportske Novosti, the only daily sports newspaper in Croatia. A respected name in his country, the journalist was quizzed about tonight's match between Dinamo Zagreb and FCSB.
Damir Dobrinic names the most dangerous players from Dinamo Zagreb and who would be the weak point of the Croatians: “The biggest problem is the right back”
– Damir, who are the most dangerous players from Dinamo Zagreb?
– Arbër Hoxha, the Albanian left winger, was the best player in the first part of the season. Fast, with beautiful dribbling and good shots, he is the most dangerous in attack. Monsef Bakrar, right winger, played in the Africa Cup of Nations with Algeria and returned a few days ago. The question remains: What shape is he in right now?''There is also rookie Dion Drena Beljo, a powerful forward who can be very quick if he has the right timing.
– What is the weak point of Croatians?
– The biggest problem is that of the right back. Moris Valinčić played excellently before he got injured and will be back in February. Right-wing starter Mateo Lisica is also unavailable and the two have a good relationship as they both played at Istra 1961 before joining Dinamo last summer. Niko Galešić is expected to play at right back, but is a center back. Ismael Bennacer is also ineligible for Europe, and this is also a big handicap.
How the stadium atmosphere is announced: “10-15,000 people. But we often say it's one of the ugliest stadiums in Europe”
– How is the atmosphere in the stadium announced?
– It is cold in Croatia, and the national handball and water polo teams are playing in the European Championship, being the focus of sports fans in the country right now. Maybe 10-15,000 spectators will be on “Maksimir”. The appearance of the stadium might intimidate FCSB a bit, as “Maksimir” is in a terrible state. Dinamo will play there until the end of the year, after which the construction of the new stadium will begin. In Croatia, we often say that this is one of the ugliest stadiums in Europe. The East Stand will be empty as it was taken out of use for almost six years for safety reasons following the strong earthquake in Zagreb.
– What importance does Dinamo Zagreb attach to the matchup?
– The Croatian Championship is in the center of attention because winning it gives the chance to play in the Champions League and brings significant income. After Dinamo failed to win the title last season, this is now practically imperative. However, ambitions in Europe are also high and Dinamo will do everything in their power to secure a place in the next round.
The Croatians appreciate FCSB, but they are absolutely not afraid of the Romanians: “The match does not inspire fear, the duel is considered one of the easiest”
– How is FCSB seen in Zagreb?
– The older ones remember the great Steaua, the sensational European champion, and Dinamo fans also remember the confrontations from the early 90s, when the Bucharest giant emerged victorious. As for the national teams, the great golden generation of Romanians is still remembered, with the fantastic Hagi, Popescu, Dumitrescu, Răducioiu, Belodedici…
– What do the fans say about the match against the Romanians on Thursday?
– The match against FCSB does not inspire fear among Dinamo fans. Thursday's match is considered one of the easiest of the Zagreb team's Europa League run – a must-win game to progress further.
Currently, as Romanian football is no longer at the top on the European level, as it once was, Croatians follow your domestic league less, very few in Croatia know about the Romanian league
– Damir Dobrinic, Croatian journalist
How the relationship between Zvonimir Boban and Bad Blue Boys is presented: “The story has changed”
– What is the situation of the conflict between the president of the club, Zvonimir Boban, and the gallery? There have been details in the Croatian media about such a thing.
– If you mean problems with the fans, they don't exist. Most of Dinamo's most loyal supporters support Zvonimir Boban and his way of working. Of course, when he hit a performance slump last fall, we in the media and fans alike began to criticize his actions extensively, but as soon as the results improved, the story changed. Boban is a giant of Dinamo and Croatian football, a man who achieved great things both as a player and later as a manager, and most consider him the best solution as Dinamo's president. Of course, there is always that vocal minority who criticize him harshly, but this is nothing new for Croatia. On the contrary, it is a constant for the Croatian mood.
How Zeljko Kopic is seen in his native country: “There is no patience here. Success in Romania raised his reputation”
– How is Zeljko Kopic, coach of Dinamo Bucharest, seen in his native country?
– Of course, attention is paid to the results of Željko Kopić; the press highlights its great successes in Romania. Even though he coached Croatia's two biggest clubs, Hajduk and Dinamo, it seems he had to go abroad to show everyone in his country his true worth. Those who have followed his activity and know his abilities understand that his success in Romania is not a surprise. There was no patience in Split and Zagreb, unlike Dinamo Bucharest, but this is not surprising for Croatian football – there is little patience for any coach. The successes in Romania certainly raised Kopić's reputation in Croatia as well.
Florentin Petre and Zeljko Kopic // PHOTO: Sport Pictures
– Who is the Croatian footballer who played in Romania and is appreciated in Croatia?
– Over the years, a huge number of Croatians have played in the Romanian championship – according to a list I found, up to 101 players – but the vast majority did not leave a significant mark on Croatian football. When someone moves there, the transfer is not seen as particularly successful, in the same way as a move to a Western European Championship. As I mentioned, the Romanian championship is not really in the public eye in Croatia. And therefore it is difficult to consider anyone in particular.
Portrait of Gigi Becali: “Zdravko Mamić the Romanian”
– What do you know about Gigi Becali, what image does he have in Croatia?
– If we had to describe it in one word, as seen in Croatia, that word would be “controversial”. The alpha and omega of Stella, or FCSB, a rich figure who dominates Romanian football and spares no effort in this regard. This is how he is seen from Croatia, even if most are not familiar with his work. Becali is often referred to as “the Romanian Zdravko Mamić”, the controversial leader of Dinamo, who was the main figure in Zagreb and, realistically speaking, in Croatian football, for more than twenty years. Today, Mamić is in Bosnia and Herzegovina, almost eight years after serving a final sentence that would have sent him to prison in Croatia.
