UEFA Champions League action resumes soon, and it will be sure to return with its usual excitement
One of the fixtures that fans will be looking out for is the game between Croatian club Dinamo Zagreb and Scottish kings Celtic.
It has been similar tales for both clubs this season, as both clubs sit 15th and 16th on the Champions League table.
Dinamo Zagreb started the competition on a very bad note, as they suffered a 9-2 defeat against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena. After Bayern Munich scored three goals in the first half, the Croatians pulled two back in the first five minutes of the second half, to make it 3-2. It looked like Dinamo Zagreb were on to something, as Bayern Munich, who had looked celestial for most of the game, started looking very ordinary.
However, the Croatians’ uptrend did not last long, as they fell apart from the 57th minute. The German kings showed their quality, scoring six goals in 33 minutes to ensure it ended 9-2.
Their second game was against Ligue 1 club Monaco. Dinamo Zagreb led the game 2-0 until the 74th minute when Mohammed Salisu scored to make it 2-1. Denis Zakaria then scored a stoppage-time equalizer to ensure it ended 2-2.
For their third game, the Croatian giants traveled to the Red Bull Arena in Salzburg to take on Austrian big boys Salzburg. Dinamo Zagreb were able to get their first win, with Sandro Kulenovic and Bruno Petkovic scoring the two goals to help them secure the 2-0 win.
Last time out, Dinamo Zagreb claimed one of the biggest wins in their Champions League history, as they went to the weeping boys of the competition Slovan Bratislava, and thrashed them 4-1.
Meanwhile, Celtic have enjoyed a similar run as Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League this season. The Scottish giants started on a fiery note, securing a handsome 5-1 win over Slovan Bratislava in their first game. However, they fell apart in their second game, succumbing to a 7-1 bashing at Borussia Dortmund.
Then, in their third game against Atalanta at the Gewiss Stadium, Celtic ran out with a draw after a 0-0 result. The Hoops had to work hard for the result and could have easily lost. Atalanta dominated the game, registering 22 goal attempts, but they failed to take their chances.
Celtic’s last game was against RB Leipzig in Glasgow, and it was an impressive performance from the Scottish champions, as they dug out a 3-1 win.
Now, with both teams recording similar results and on seven points apiece, the upcoming match could put some space between the two teams.
Dinamo Zagreb’s Stadion Maksimir has not exactly been a fortress, as they have won just two of their last five home games. Celtic, on the other hand, have won four and drawn one of their last five away fixtures.
Although both clubs are on the same number of points in the Champions League, Celtic are at the top of the Scottish Premiership table, while Dinamo Zagreb sit third, behind Hajduk Split and Rijeka.
However, it is important to note that Dinamo Zagreb can be very deadly in the final third. In their domestic League, they have 30 goals. In the Champions League, only Bayern Munich and Barcelona have scored more goals as Dinamo Zagreb have scored ten goals this season.
The Croatians’ problem has been their defence. In the top 34 teams in the UEFA Champions League, they have conceded the highest number of goals (12). Also, in their domestic league, they have conceded the most number of goals in the top five (17).
Celtic, on the other hand, have been doing well on both ends of the pitch. They have scored the highest number of goals in the Premiership (30). They have also conceded the least (3). In the Champions League, they have scored nine and conceded nine.
Going into the game, both sides look quite balanced on paper based on their performances this season. However, Celtic and Dinamo Zagreb are two sides that know how to attack. Moreover, this is already a clutch period in the group stage, and they will be looking to get results to climb higher up the table.
Match tickets
The epic match at Stadion Maksimir in Zagreb kicks off on Tuesday, 10th of December 2024 at 17:45 GMT.
The 35,423-capacity stadium is the venue for the clash between two teams hoping to make it out of the group.
Getting Dinamo Zagreb v Celtic tickets could take a lot of work given the standard of this game. Hence, you are advised to search ticket reselling sites should they be expectedly sold out on each club’s channels.
Team news
Line-ups
Dinamo Zagreb will have an almost full house going into the fixture. Their only injury problems at the moment are Juan Cordoba and Ivan Nevistic.
Dinamo Zagreb XI: Danijel Zagorac; Takuya Ogiwara, Raul Torrente, Kevin Theophile-Catherine, Stefan Ristovski; Petar Sucic, Joseph Misic, Marko Pjaca, Martin Baturina, Dario Spikic, Sandro Kulenovic.
The Scottish champions have a decent squad to present for this fixture in Zagreb. Veteran goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel should keep his place in goal, while Kyogo Furuhashi will remain in attack. For the Celts, Odin Thiago Holm is their only injury concern, but he has not played an important role for them this season, and he won’t be missed.
Celtic XI: Kasper Schmeichel; Alistair Johnson, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Auston Trusty, Greg Taylor; Arne Engels, Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate; Nicolas-Gerrit Kuhn, Daezen Maeda, Kyogo Furuhashi.
Prediction
As stated earlier, it is already the clutch period of the group stage, and both clubs will be looking to go for the jugular. Celtic and Dinamo Zagreb currently sit 15th and 16th on the Champions League table, and that means they would have to play the playoffs to make it to the next round. Fans are advised to get their Dinamo Zagreb tickets on time.
With just two points separating them from the top eight, Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers and Dinamo Zagreb boss Nenad Bjelica, will be bullish.
Both clubs know how to score goals, and the Stadion Maksimir hasn’t exactly proven to be a fortress this season. As such, Celtic should be able to score a goal at least.
The game looks poised for a draw, but there will be goals.
Dinamo Zagreb 2-2 Celtic