Photo: Goran Stanzl/PIXSELL
September 21, 2023 – In the 1st round of the Conference League Group C, Dinamo beat Astana 5-1 at Maksimir.
The Croatian champion took the lead in the 43rd minute with a goal by Bruno Petković from the penalty spot. In the 53rd minute, Petković converted another penalty to make it 2-0. The third goal for Dinamo was beautifully scored by Marko Bulat from a free kick in the 58th minute. Astana’s only goal was scored by Hovhanisjan in the 78th minute. Marin and Halilović scored in the 86th and third minute of stoppage time for the final 5-1 at Maksimir Stadium in Zagreb.
Match report
Dinamo could have taken the lead already in the 4th minute. Vidović made a great pass on the left side of the penalty area and played a perfect ball into the box. The goal was empty, but Emreli missed the entire ball.
In the 20th minute, Astana had a great chance after Perić disastrously returned the ball with his head to his backline. Tomasov got in between Šutalo and Ljubičić and broke in front of Nevistić, but got tangled up and shot wide of the goal.
Dinamo threatened again in the 37th minute when Vidović shot at Čondrić to give Dinamo the lead in the 41st minute. Darboe remained in the penalty area after the corner and stepped on Ljubičić. The referee awarded a penalty after reviewing the footage, and Petković routinely scored for 1-0.
In the 47th minute, Astana could have equalized, but Nevistić made a great save from Tomasov’s attempt. Astana shot themselves in the foot again in the 53rd minute. Moharrami crossed, Baturina shot at Čondric, but Harojan pushed Emreli from behind at the near post, and Petković scored the second penalty for 2-0.
Two minutes later, Astana had the best chance of the match. Darboe received a great ball through Dinamo’s defense and set himself up to shoot, but Nevistić made a fantastic save.
And then the goals continued. In the 58th minute, Petković won a foul about 20 meters from the goal, and Marko Bulat hit it beautifully over the wall and into the goal to make it 3-0.
Astana managed to reduce the score in the 78th minute after another weak reaction from Dinamo’s defense. Hovhannisyan received the ball on the edge of the penalty area, Ljubičić went into space, and Hovhannisyan beautifully scored past Nevistić for 3-1.
In the 86th minute, Antonio Marin scored for 4-1. He first missed a great chance after Menalo’s cross, but as the play continued, the ball came to Mykhaylichenko, who beautifully crossed into the box. Marin did not miss with his head this time.
In the third minute of stoppage time, Tibor Halilović scored a precise shot from about 20 meters into Čondric’s corner for the final 5-1. He was assisted by Mykhaylichenko, who recorded two assists in just eight minutes on the pitch.
In the second match of Group C, Viktoria Plzen beat Ballkani 1-0 at home. After the first round, Dinamo and Viktoria have three points each, while Ballkani and Astana have no points.
