Our prediction for this Champions League match:
After eliminating Iceland champions Valur in round 1, Dinamo Zagreb will be looking to give fans yet another reason for celebration when they take on Omonia at their Stadion Maksimir. Key players Orsic and Petkovic returned to the starting XI in the 2-0 win over Valur, and, no doubt, all eyes will be on the duo in Tuesday’s showdown. Goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic should be recalled to the starting line-up.
Omonia, on the other hand, were eliminated by Olympiakos in the Champions League qualifiers last term, and, no doubt, they are eager to make amends for the unsuccessful campaign. Anyhow, home win should be considered, as Dinamo Zagreb star players returned from international duty. The two teams have never met before in European competitions. A man to watch in the away team will be Ghana international Ernest Asante, who scored 8 goals in the Cyprian top flight last season.
Highlighted Player (Kévin Théophile-Catherine):
Born in Saint-Brieuc, France, on October 28, 1989, Kevin Theophile-Catherine is a defender who plays for Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb. Theophile-Catherine started his youth career at Rennes and he continued playing for les Rouges et Noirs at senior level.
After scoring two goals in 98 appearances for the club from 2009 to 2013, he moved to Cardiff City in the 2013/2014 season, signing a four-year contract with the Bluebirds. After ending his loan spell with Saint-Etienne, he signed a permanent deal with les Verts in 2015 for a fee of £1.5 million.
The Dinamo Zagreb footballer has one cap with France U21 team, while making four appearances for the U20 team. His main position is centre-back, but he is capable of playing as both right and left back as well. His preferred foot is right and his contract with Dinamo Zagreb should expire on June 30, 2020. Theophile-Catherine made his debut for Dinamo Zagreb in a 2-1 win over Osijek on August 17, 2018.
Highlighted Team (Dinamo Zagreb):
Arguably the biggest club in Croatia and one of the most prominent football outfits in the Balkan region, Dinamo Zagreb have won 18 league titles, 11 of which came successively. Dinamo Zagreb have never been relegated to a lower tier of both Croatian and Yugoslav football.
Modri as they are called in Croatia are renowned for their impressive production line of youth footballers. Their highly organised football academy has so far produced world-class players such as Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic, Marko Pjaca and many others. Dinamo Zagreb play their home matches at the Stadion Maksimir in front of 35,000 people.
The club lacked support during the last couple of seasons due to fans’ disagreement with club management, most notably notorious Zdravko Mamic, who is under investigation for long-lasting corruption, tax evasion and embezzlement. For the first time since 2015, Dinamo Zagreb will have the full support of their most faithful supporters in the Champions League.