Dinamo Zagreb brilliantly opened their 2018/19 Europa League season against Fenerbahce with a blowout win.
Dinamo dominated Fenerbahce 4:1 in the first round of Europa League’s Group D! With a phenomenal opening, the Croatian Champion broke the Turkish giant and immediately jumped to the top of the group, reports Gol.hr on September 21, 2018.
Ivan Šunjić (16), Izet Hajrović (27, 57), and Dani Olmo (60) were the goalscorers for Dinamo, while Roman Neustadter (48) scored Fenerbahce’s only goal.
The Croatian champion, in front of 17,570 spectators at Maksimir, came to one of their biggest European victories and took advantage of a relaxed Turkish side who did not set out their strongest team against the Zagreb club. Dinamo, however, deserved the impressive victory and played motivated, polite, attractive and efficient. Kicking off Europa League with this remarkable win is a glimmer of hope for Dinamo fans who wish to see a European spring after almost 50 years.
Game report:
Dinamo took the lead already in the 16th minute when Ivan Šunjić hit the lower right corner from 10 meters out for 1:0. In the 27th minute, Dinamo doubled their lead after Gavranović’s shot found the boot of Hajrović, who defeated the Turkish goalkeeper for 2:0.
Fenerbahce had a few chances in the first half, but Dinamo goalkeeper Livaković was cautious and timely in his defense.
The Turkish club picked up the pace in the second half and managed to reduce the score to 2:1 in the 48th minute, but it was the incredible mistake by two Turkish defenders to increase Dinamo’s lead moments later. In the 57th minute, a collision by Fenerbahce’s Koybasi and Topal gifted Olmo the ball, which made it’s way to Hajrović for 3:1. Only three minutes later, Dani Olmo increased the lead even more to 4:1. Fenerbahce was left stunned by Dinamo's third and fourth goals. The game ended 4:1 for the Croatian Champion.
In the other game of Group D, Spartak Trnava hosted Anderlecht for a 1:0 win.
In the second round on 4 October, Dinamo will play away at Anderlecht, while Spartak will welcome Fenerbahce.
