Dinamo Zagreb vs Kauno Žalgiris tickets for the Champions League qualifier at Stadion Maksimir in Zagreb

Dinamo Zagreb and Kauno Žalgiris open their two-legged tie at Maksimir

Dinamo Zagreb host Kauno Žalgiris in the first leg of the third qualifying round of the Champions League. The match will be played at Stadion Maksimir in Zagreb, and according to the latest announcement by the home club, kick-off is at 20:00 local time. The return leg is scheduled for one week later in Kaunas, so the result in Zagreb will determine how much room both teams have to adjust in the second part of the tie.

The hosts enter the match after two demanding appearances within the space of several days. In the previous qualifying round against Thun, Dinamo first drew 1:1 in Switzerland and then won 3:2 after extra time at Maksimir. Mario Kovačević's team trailed 0:2 in the return leg, but goals from Dion Drena Beljo, Lukas Kačavenda and Moris Valinčić secured progression with a 4:3 aggregate score. Three days later, Dinamo opened their domestic league season with a 2:0 victory against Slaven Belupo, with Beljo scoring both goals.

Kauno Žalgiris arrive as Lithuanian champions and the leading team in their domestic league. After 19 league matches, they had 31 points, with eight wins, seven draws and four defeats, as well as a goal difference of 34:15. In the European qualifiers, they first eliminated Drita 4:3 on aggregate and then overcame KÍ Klaksvík without conceding a goal - 0:0 in the Faroe Islands and 1:0 in the return leg in Jonava.

Tickets for this match are in demand among supporters, and it is advisable to secure them in good time.

What is at stake in the first match

The winner of the tie will move closer to the league phase of Europe's strongest club competition, but the first match will not provide the final decision. Dinamo's main task is to take advantage of their home ground without leaving space for counter-attacks. Kauno Žalgiris can accept longer periods without the ball if they remain close on the scoreboard and take the decision to Kaunas.

Dinamo have a warning from the return leg against Thun behind them. Two early goals conceded forced them into a comeback that was completed only in extra time. Against the Lithuanian champions, they must therefore control the opening phase and avoid losing possession in midfield.

In their four qualifying appearances so far, Kauno Žalgiris have demonstrated two different abilities. Against Drita, they had to play more openly and win the return leg 3:2, while they progressed against KÍ Klaksvík thanks to two matches without conceding. Such a run gives Željko Sopić's team reason to believe that they can survive the pressure at Maksimir, particularly if they prevent the hosts from taking an early lead.

The teams' path to this tie

• Dinamo Zagreb - Thun 1:1 in the first leg of the second qualifying round
• Dinamo Zagreb - Thun 3:2 after extra time in the return leg, 4:3 on aggregate
• Kauno Žalgiris - Drita 4:3 on aggregate in the first qualifying round
• KÍ Klaksvík - Kauno Žalgiris 0:0 in the first match of the second round
• Kauno Žalgiris - KÍ Klaksvík 1:0 in the return leg in Jonava

Beljo leads Dinamo's attack

Dion Drena Beljo is the hosts' most obvious attacking threat. He finished the previous league season with 31 goals and opened the new one with two goals against Slaven Belupo. He also scored in the return leg against Thun and initiated the comeback after Dinamo had fallen 0:2 behind. His ability to receive the ball under pressure, finish moves with his left foot and attack the space behind the last line gives Dinamo several ways to break through a compact defence.

Captain Josip Mišić has an important role. He dictates the tempo from a deeper position, switches play with long passes and looks for vertical balls towards players positioned between the opposition lines. Against Slaven Belupo, he participated in the build-up to the second goal, while his cross preceded Stjepan Radeljić's shot against the post. Kauno Žalgiris will therefore try to reduce the time Mišić has to lift his head and prepare attacks.

Luka Stojković returned from suspension and immediately assisted Beljo for the second goal against Slaven Belupo. He brings verticality and runs from deep to Dinamo's play, while Kovačević can change the rhythm from the bench through Lukas Kačavenda, Gabriel Vidović, Mislav Oršić and Mateo Lisica.

On the left side, Matteo Perez Vinlöf created Beljo's first goal against Slaven Belupo. If the visitors defend narrowly, Dinamo will try to stretch their block through the wide players.

Smail Prevljak has been registered for the match, although he had a finger injury problem in the build-up to the game. Coach Kovačević announced that he would be in contention to play. This gives the hosts another option at the top of the attack, but based on current form, Beljo remains the leading candidate for the starting line-up.

Kauno Žalgiris have form, discipline and a coach who knows Maksimir

The most interesting connection between the clubs is Željko Sopić. The Kauno Žalgiris coach previously managed Dinamo and knows the demands of playing at Maksimir well. He took over the Lithuanian champions at the end of June, shortly before the start of the qualifiers, and guided the team through two rounds in a short period.

Kauno Žalgiris are not only a defensive team. They scored 34 goals in 19 league matches, defeated FA Šiauliai 4:0 and scored three times away to Drita. At Maksimir, however, it is realistic to expect a more compact block and quick breaks after winning possession.

Vykintas Slivka brings experience from the Lithuanian national team and additional physical strength in midfield. He joined the club immediately before the start of the European qualifiers and scored an early goal in the return leg against Drita. Amine Benchaib was also among the scorers in that tie, while Leonas Krekovičius scored the only goal against KÍ Klaksvík, thereby securing the greatest European achievement in the club's history.

Goalkeeper Deividas Mikelionis and the defensive line arrive in Zagreb after 180 minutes without conceding against the champions of the Faroe Islands. This is an important detail because Dinamo usually try to raise the tempo early on their home ground. If the visitors withstand the initial pressure, they can slow the match down, increase nervousness in the stands and look for an opportunity from a set piece or transition.

Key players and roles

• Dion Drena Beljo - centre-forward and Dinamo's most dangerous finisher
• Josip Mišić - playmaker and main distributor from a deeper position
• Luka Stojković - a player who accelerates attacks through vertical passing and movement
• Vykintas Slivka - experienced Kauno Žalgiris midfielder and scorer against Drita
• Leonas Krekovičius - scorer of the winning goal against KÍ Klaksvík

Tactical questions that could decide the match

The first question is how quickly Dinamo will manage to move the ball from one side to the other. Slow circulation would suit the visitors because their block would have enough time to shift. Quick switches of play, forward runs by the full-backs and well-timed movements by Stojković or Kačavenda between the lines can force Kauno Žalgiris into incorrect marking exchanges.

The second question concerns Dinamo's protection after losing the ball. Kovačević's team are expected to have more possession and more players ahead of the ball. If both full-backs remain high at the same time, the visitors can look for a direct outlet towards the wingers or a striker who holds up the ball while the midfield joins the attack. The hosts must therefore maintain balance and stop transitions in good time.

The third question is set pieces. Dinamo scored the winning goal against Thun with a header after a corner, while the visitors will view every delivery into the penalty area as an opportunity to threaten without constructing a long attack. The hosts must remain patient and avoid turning their initiative into forced shots and risky passes.

Maksimir, the stands and the expected atmosphere

Stadion Maksimir is located at Maksimirska cesta 128 in the eastern part of Zagreb. It opened in 1912 and has been renovated several times throughout its history. For this match, the West Lower, West Upper and North Lower stands are scheduled to be open. This arrangement directs most of the crowd towards the western and northern sides of the stadium, where the largest concentration of home supporters can be expected.

Against Thun, Dinamo went through extra time and a major comeback in front of their supporters, so the crowd will again expect an aggressive opening. Kauno Žalgiris arrive after a historic qualification for the third qualifying round and without the burden of being favourites. That combination could produce a match in which the stands react strongly to every early duel, ball recovery and chance for the hosts.

Seats in the stands are disappearing quickly, especially for European qualifying nights at Maksimir.

Practical information for arrival

• The stadium address is Maksimirska cesta 128, Zagreb.
• The stadium can be reached via the tram corridor along Maksimirska cesta, with passengers advised to check the current timetable before departure.
• Parking in the immediate vicinity of the stadium may be limited, so an earlier arrival or the use of public transport is recommended.
• The West Lower, West Upper and North Lower stands are scheduled to be used for admission.
• Visitors with a digital ticket should prepare a functional QR code in advance to pass through the checks more quickly.

The exact time at which the entrances will open was not stated in the ticket sales announcement, so visitors should check the organiser's latest notice before departure. Arriving well before kick-off reduces the risk of waiting at the approaches and control points. Traffic around the stadium may slow down before major matches, particularly on Maksimirska cesta and the approaches from the city centre.

The stadium is located outside the immediate city centre, next to Maksimir Park. Traffic congestion in the surrounding area increases as kick-off approaches.

Why the visitors should not be judged solely by the reputation of their league

Kauno Žalgiris won the Lithuanian championship for the first time in 2025 and are now confirming that success in the qualifiers. The club have already overcome two obstacles, lead their domestic league and arrive in Zagreb on a strong run of results. Their defensive stability is particularly important: they did not concede in the tie against KÍ Klaksvík, even though they had to play the return leg in Jonava instead of at their own stadium in Kaunas.

Dinamo have greater squad depth, but against Thun they saw how quickly an advantage on paper can disappear. Kovačević warned that there are no easy opponents and emphasised that Sopić knows Dinamo well, which may help the visitors prepare their pressure on Mišić and defend runs from deep.

The ideal scenario for the hosts would be an early lead, control of the tempo and a match without conceding. For the visitors, any result that leaves the tie open before the return leg at Dariaus ir Girėno Stadium is acceptable. The greatest tactical battle may therefore be fought between Dinamo's need to take the initiative and the visitors' desire to keep the match balanced for as long as possible.

Ticket sales for this match are under way.

What to watch from the first minute

The first thing to observe is the position of the Kauno Žalgiris midfield. If the visitors drop very deep, Dinamo will be given space to retain possession, but they will have to create chances against a large number of players behind the ball. If Sopić pushes the first line of pressure higher, the hosts can try to bypass it with a direct pass towards Beljo or a quick advance down the flanks.

Beljo must not remain isolated between the two centre-backs. Dinamo's attacking midfielders must attack cut-backs and the far post, as they did against Slaven Belupo, when the hosts hit the frame of the goal three times in addition to scoring twice.

For the visitors, attention should be paid to Slivka's positioning and the speed of the first pass after winning the ball. Kauno Žalgiris will not have many opportunities for lengthy attacks, so the quality of the first decision will be crucial. One precise vertical pass can take several Dinamo players out of the move and open space towards the defence.

The first goal will have a strong impact on the character of the match. A Dinamo lead would force the visitors to abandon some of their initial caution, while a Kauno Žalgiris goal would increase the pressure on the hosts and reopen the question of transition defence that emerged against Thun. If the score remains level for a long time, substitutions and the depth of Dinamo's bench may become increasingly important.

Sources:
- GNK Dinamo Zagreb - match schedule, squad, reports from the matches against Thun and Slaven Belupo, coach statements and information for visitors
- FK Kauno Žalgiris - schedule, results against Drita and KÍ Klaksvík and information about the team
- TOPLYGA - current Lithuanian league standings and Kauno Žalgiris' league record
- ESPN - results and aggregate outcomes of the qualifying ties
- ZET and the City of Zagreb - general information about public transport and the stadium's location