July 26, 2022 - Dinamo advanced to the Champions League 3rd qualifying round after beating Shkupi on a 3-2 aggregate on Tuesday. After 2-2 in Zagreb, Dinamo won in Skopje with a minimal 1-0.

The match and overall winner were decided early in the second half. In the 47th minute, Dinamo's captain Arijan Ademi was the only scorer in Skopje. In the 3rd qualifying round, Dinamo will play against the Bulgarian champion Ludogorets.

Dinamo opened the match a bit slow, but it didn't take long for the Croatian champion to start threatening Shkupi's goal. Ivanušec and Špikić tried first in the 13th minute, and Bruno Petković found himself in an even better situation with a header five minutes later. Shkupi was dangerous in the 21st minute but couldn't find the back of the net. 

By the end of the first half, Dinamo still had two great opportunities and wholly dominated the first 45 minutes. In the 35th minute, Špikić had a great chance, and in the 41st, Shkupi was even closer to the goal. Petković was alone in front of the goal in stoppage time, but the first half ended 0-0. 

Dinamo took the lead at the start of the second half when Luka Menalo assisted Ademi, putting them ahead 1-0! 

Three minutes later, Menalo's goal was called offside. Petković and Menalo worked to score a second goal, but Shkupi remained solid in defense to deny the Croatian champion.

Dinamo worked hard to stay ahead and avoid the match going into extra time. They ultimately succeeded as the match ended 1-0. 

In the Champions League 3rd qualifying round, Dinamo will play against the Bulgarian champion Ludogorets. After 3-0 at home, Ludogorets lost 1-2 to Irish club Shamrock Rovers. Ludogorets played almost the entire second half with a man down. 

On August 2, Dinamo will first visit Bulgaria, while the second leg will be played at Maksimir Stadium one week later. 

Source: HRT

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July 19, 2022 - In the first leg of the Champions League 2nd qualifying round, Dinamo and Shkupi draw 2:2 at Maksimir Stadium in Zagreb. 

Dinamo had their first European test of the season tonight against the champion of North Macedonia, Shkupi. The two teams met at Maksimir Stadium at 21:00 for the Champions League 2nd qualifying round. 

Dinamo entered tonight's match as big favorites. According to Transfermarkt, the North Macedonian champion is worth only 5.5 million euros, while the Croatian champion is valued at 100.5 million.

The match was refereed by 39-year-old Romanian Rad Petrescu.

The starting lineups saw Dinamo coach Ante Čačić leave Mislav Oršić on the bench.

Lineups

Dinamo: Livaković - Moharrami, J. Šutalo, Perić, Ljubičić - Mišić, Ademi - Špikić, Petković, Ivanušec - Drmić

Shkupi: Naumovski - Brdarovski, Dzelil, Margvelashvili, Sheji - Putita, Faustin, Alvarez - Hamidi, Danfa, Adetunji

Match report

Dinamo's first real chance came in the 10th minute. Perić crossed, and Petković chested to Ademi, who shot ten meters over the goal. Dinamo used their first sub in the 17th minute as Theophile entered for an injured Josip Šutalo. 

Dinamo was shocked in the 25th minute. A big mistake by the defense between Mišić and Theophile saw Queven take advantage and shot past Livaković for 0:1. 

Dinamo had a few more chances but didn't equalize until the 44th minute. Ademi scored off a Moharrami cross for 1:1 at the half. 

The second half started with one change - Menalo entered instead of Špikić

Ljubičić had a chance in the 49th minute but shot near post. Oršić was subbed on for Drmić in the 64th minute. 

Ademi was shown a yellow card in the 72nd minute for simulation after diving in the penalty area. 

Dinamo continued to have chances in the second half and was relentlessly attacking Shkupi's goal. Bruno Petković finally scored to put Dinamo ahead at 2:1 in the 86th minute.

But the euphoria didn't last long. A quick attack and a volley over Livaković saw Shkupi equalize at 2:2 in the 89th minute, which is how the match ended. 

The second leg will be played away on Tuesday, July 26, at 21:00. 

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