Article by Eduard Apostol – Published Monday, April 27, 2026, 4:42 p.m. / Updated Monday, April 27, 2026, 4:50 p.m.
Zeljko Kopic, 48 years old, explained today to the Dynamo supporters in an interview for GSP.ro how he and the players are preparing the last 4 stages of the Superliga and why the prospect of qualifying for the European Cups influences everything that will follow in the “pack”.
Dinamo collected two consecutive victories in the championship, with U Cluj (2-1) and with Rapid (3-1), gathering 4 stages in a row without failure. It climbed to 4th place. 5 points behind Craiova (one game less) and U Cluj, 3 behind CFR Cluj.
The “Dogs” wasted the chance to reach the final of the Romanian Cup, after being eliminated from the semifinals in the penalty shootout with Craiova University. The team he will face again, in the Superliga, next Sunday, from 21:00, in Bănie.
Zeljko Kopic, 48, continues to keep his head on his shoulders after recent success with Rapid. The Croatian measured his words well in an interview given to Gazeta Sporturilor today and explained to the supporters what are the next steps he and the team want to take.
2017it is the year in which Dinamo played for the last time in the European cups
Zeljko Kopic set the goal: “The best football, to get to play in Europe after this season”
– Mister Kopic, I ask you from the start: are you still hoping for the title, do you still have a chance as we speak?
– It's hard to say. We have these four games, the last of the play-offs, and you know very well that I am a fan of taking each game individually. Let's do our best and then we'll see. We still have matches at home with CFR and FC Argeș, away with Craiova and U Cluj, it is up to us to enter with ambition to win.
I'm not talking about places in the ranking. The details made the difference, the little details, it's hard to predict what will happen next. Let's keep the players healthy, keep them in good spirits and it will be fine.
– OK, it is clear that the title is a distant goal, we are passing the “hope dies last” phase. What about 3rd place?
– CFR Cluj is in very good shape, and Craiova and U Cluj are currently 5 points ahead of us. Craiova can increase the difference tonight. In addition, Rapid and Argeșul are close to us. Our ambition is to offer the best football so that we can play in Europe after this season.
What Zeljko Kopic said about a possible play-off with FCSB for a place in the Conference League: “Let's get there first”
– You could end up in a play-off match with the great rival from FCSB, for a place in Europe. Would you prefer or avoid such a duel?
– Phew, it would be a tough match. Maybe we will get to a confrontation with FCSB again. Let's get ourselves in a position to play a match for Europe, including against FCSB, then we'll see. Let's be up there, then we'll see who we're playing.
– Even if there are still 4 championship stages, how would you analyze this 3rd season spent at Dinamo?
– It is better compared to the previous one. I took a big step forward, I mean Dinamo like everything. We won derbies, we played good football, it is important that we grew and developed. Yes, it could be better.
We were 2 minutes away from the Cup final. We wasted some matches that would have brought us higher, in a completely different situation. Small details. At least that keeps us out of 1st place, now.
But we're human, that's the reality. Let's not complain, let's focus on work, let's do everything we can to win in these last 4 stages. We are left with the feeling that we could do more…
4points collected by Dinamo in the two championship matches this season with FCSB, 4-3 and 0-0
Zeljko Kopic will fight with Dinamo for the summer title: “We are already discussing what the squad could look like”
– What are you doing, do you continue with Dinamo from the summer, is it possible to fight for the title, or is it possible to “transfer” for a new experience, for more money, other confrontations?
– I have 2 more years of contract with Dinamo. And I don't spend a single second of my life thinking about anything else. We will find out the answer to a possible other option when there is a break, when it comes. It is the last month of the championship, there are important matches, I only focus on work. I repeat, I am not interested in anything else.
We've actually already started discussing how the squad could appear, but it all depends on whether or not we play in Europe.
– Can you elaborate?
– It is clear that Dinamo must grow year by year. I'm not talking about other years, but in the last two we made it to the play-offs every time. There is still room to grow, but the ambition of the supporters is to fight for trophies, to be high. Let's be stronger and stronger.
When I came to Dinamo (n.ed December 1, 2023, when the team was relegating), the idea was to do everything step by step. We showed that we can grow, that we can fight with the best. We can play, we can dominate, we can win. The idea is to continue the same.
We don't build false stories, just to talk, to brag, “yes, Dinamo's history obliges…”, but to build real things that will last. In each discussion the idea is to make the team capable of proposing their fight for the title in the shortest possible time.
Mentally and physically, the players had a tough week with heavy matches. So they deserved a two-day break. From Wednesday, we start preparing for the away match with Craiova. We have time to be fresh, to be in shape, to go to battle in Craiova. We will be ready to win, that will be our motto
Zeljko Kopic, Dinamo coach
Eddy Gnahore and Mamoudou Karamoko are in the calculations for Dinamo's future
– Many leave, many come in the summer mercato?
– Let's see what offers will come. It is clear, for example, that it will be very difficult to keep Boateng. I don't think anyone from Romania can afford the salary they can have. Let's see how we close the season, outline the team, the batch. We haven't started any discussion about any player, but I'm sure there will be footballers who will have transfer opportunities for other salary amounts. It depends on the club, the level of the offer…
– Gnahore continues?
– Eddy is very, very important, but, first, let's finish the season, then we sit at the table, discuss the details. I appreciate everything he did from the first moment, it is very, very important for the team, it helps the development of Dinamo, in the style of play of the formation.
– How is Karamoko, when will he recover?
– I don't know, I really don't know, his situation is delicate. Dinamo's staff protects him, but it happens… I hope we still have him at the end of the season. The important thing is that he stays with us for the next year, to manage his medical condition properly.
Let's see what we can sign in the summer, let's be stronger in every position. Romanians, foreigners, Under 21 players, so that we have greater competition in the team, so that Dinamo is better.
I want Dinamo not to stay in comfort zones, but for everyone to fight for their position. The ultimate idea is to play in Europe, to fight for trophies, to have players in rotation and the results to be good and very good
Zeljko Kopic, Dinamo coach
How does Zeljko Kopic feel in Bucharest and what is his daily routine
– How do you feel in Bucharest, among Romanians, after two and a half years?
– I feel good, I have my daily routine. I spend part of the day at Săftica, another with me and those close to me. There are good and bad times. I go to the gym, I have various activities, discussions with the technical staff, dinner. I have a good, positive balance.
– What relaxes you, what do you like?
– Look, for example, eating with the players at Săftica is a positive aspect for me. Two and a half years in one place is something. The important thing is that Dinamo is a big club. Great for everything. With supporters, with high expectations. Whether you are a fan or a rival, you want Dinamo to be a competitive club. We have an obligation to push the boundaries. People come and go, things change at a club… But Dinamo must stay up.
