Dinamo advances to the Champions League playoff with a win over Žalgiris

Dinamo Zagreb has qualified for the Champions League playoffs by defeating Lithuanian side Kaunas Žalgiris 2:1 in Kaunas on Tuesday night. The Croatian champion advanced on a 7:1 aggregate score, and will face Norwegian side Viking for a place in the main draw of the highest tier of European competition.

Lukas Kačavenda scored the opening goal for Dinamo in the 19th minute of play, with captain Josip Mišić doubling the Croatian champion's lead in the 30th minute of play with a strong shot from 20 meters out. Dinamo was left a man short in the 32nd minute of play after goalkeeper Ivan Filipović was sent off for a foul outside the penalty area. Ivan Nevistić took his place between the goalposts, while Mateo Lisica had to leave the game. Playing a man up Žalgiris was able to reduce the deficit, with Croatian international Gabrijel Debeljuh scoring in the 56th minute of play.

Dinamo will now advance to the Champions League playoff where they will face Norwegian side Viking. The first leg will be played on Tuesday August 18th, with opening kick-off at 9:00 PM (CET) at Zagreb’s Maksimir Stadium. The return leg will be on Wednesday August 26th, at 9:00 PM (CET) in Stavanger. By qualifying for the Champions League play-offs, Dinamo has at the very least secured a place in the Europa League competition.

As for Žalgiris, coach Željko Sopić's team will now move directly to the Europa League play-offs, where they will face the winner of the showdown between Turkey’s Besiktas and Czech side Hradec Králové. Žalgiris is also guaranteed a place in Europe, as the Lithuanian champion will play in the Conference League should they fail to qualify for the Europa League.

Source: HRT