Croatian champions Dinamo met Premier League side Tottenham in the Europa League round of 16 return match at Maksimir Stadium in Zagreb on Thursday. In the first match in London, Tottenham won 2-0 with goals from Harry Kane.
Dinamo’s backline changed compared to the first game. From the first minute, Franjić started instead of Leovac. On the other side, Son was not available to Jose Mourinho due to injury.
DINAMO: Livaković – Ristovski, Lauritsen, Theophile-Catherine, Franjić – Majer, Jakić, Ademi – Ivanušec, Petković, Oršić
TOTTENHAM: Lloris – Davies, Dier, Sanchez, Aurier – Winks, Sissoko – Moura, Alli, Lamela – Kane
After the Croatian Supreme Court upheld his verdict and imprisonment, Zoran Mamić resigned as coach of Dinamo earlier this week. Dinamo was thus led by former assistant Damir Krznar in tonight’s match.
Dinamo v. Tottenham Recap
Dinamo came out hungry to get a result that would keep them in the Europa League this season, which was evident from the start. However, there were not really dangerous opportunities from either side until the 30th-minute mark.
The best chance of the match came from Lovro Majer who shot from the edge of the penalty area just outside the near post. One minute later, Dinamo threatened Tottenham’s net again.
After two great opportunities for Dinamo, both sides calmed. Tottenham managed to win the ball again and keep possession.
Tottenham’s best chance came from Kane who was 1-on-1 with Livaković in the 44th minute, but the Dinamo goalkeeper acted brilliantly to keep the score level at the half.
The second half saw no lineup changes.
Dinamo’s first attempt of the second half came in the 58th minute. Majer and Oršić saw their chances blocked, and Petković faked the Spurs defender only to shoot over the goal.
Gareth Bale was subbed on for Lamela two minutes later.
Dinamo finally saw the back of the net in the 62nd minute – a stunning (and classic) Oršić shot from outside the box nailed the upper corner for the Dinamo lead! It was 1-0 with 28 minutes to go.
Dinamo continued to attack in the remainder of the second half, giving Tottenham little chance of equalizing.
And then it happened – Atiemwen served Oršić who scored his second goal for 2-0 and extra time!
Leovac had a great chance for Dinamo in the 95th minute but served Gavranović a tough ball in front of the goal to keep the score even. Bale missed near post in the 102nd.
The man of the hour started the second half of extra time with the unthinkable – Mislav Oršić scored a hattrick for 3-0 Dinamo!
In the final minutes of extra time, a series of stellar saves by Livaković kept Dinamo ahead. A nail-biting ending, and the ref added two minutes of injury time. But Dinamo held on to win 3-0!
Dinamo will learn their quarter-final opponent after the Europa League draw tomorrow.
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