Dinamo Zagreb v Celtic – Match Preview, Managers Comments, Where to Watch

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The Celtic Star

·9 December 2024

Dinamo Zagreb v Celtic – Match Preview, Managers Comments, Where to Watch

Croatian Champions Dinamo Zagreb will play host to Celtic at in the Champions League at their Stadion Maksimir tomorrow in the early kick-off slot. Kick-off is at 5.45pm CPT*…

Croatia, Zagreb, Maksimir Stadium. Celtic media conference before the UEFA Champions League match Dinamo – Celtic. In the photo: Celtic coach Brendan Rodgers. CROPIX Ronald Gorsic

“We want to win away from home, because you know what it means to supporters and how valuable those points are. To win away at any level, but especially in the Champions League, is a real challenge, so the satisfaction would be immense. “We’ve had some big performances in this campaign which gives us confidence, but we’ve also shown we can recover from setbacks, which gives me great faith as a manager. “We know this will be a tough game, but we’re ready and excited. When the Champions League music comes on, everyone is motivated to win.”

Here is the Celtic media conference from this evening…more on this to follow…

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Here’s an overview of Dinamo as they head into a match where a win for either side should be enough to secure qualification to the knock-out stages.

Both sides suffered heavy defeats in Germany against Bayern Munich (Dinamo lost 9-2) and Borussia Dortmund (Celtic going down 7-1). Celtic currently have eight points, one more than Dinamo who collected their via a home draw with Monaco and away wins over Slovan Bratislava and RB Salzburg. Celtic have also beaten Slovan Bratislava and also RB Leipzig while picking up two points in the draws against Atalanta and Club Brugge.

Dinamo Zagreb has no wins in their last five matches in all competitions plus no wins in five home games since the end of September, plus they have no wins in their latest four home Champions League games and just two in their latest 13 at the Maksimir Stadium in the same competition.

Dinamo Zagreb also has an extensive injury list with head coach Nenad Bjelic claiming at the weekend that he had just 14 players fit for the game against Celtic. It’s unlikely that any of this will influence anything that Brendan Rodgers does in the build-up to this crucial Champions League match. Nor will it influence the Celtic team selection or tactics.

Dinamo Zagreb forward Marko Pjaca and Head Coach Nenad Bjelica both spoke to the media this afternoon.

Head Coach Nenad Bjelica is seen during Dinamo Zagreb press conference at Maksimir stadium in Zagreb, Croatia on December 9, 2024 ahead UEFA Champions League match against Celtic. Photo Sanjin Strukic/PIXSELL

Nenad Bjelica, GNK Dinamo coach: “I am optimistic, especially after the team played like they did against Slaven [in a 1-1 draw on Friday]. The players put our plans into action on the pitch but we just didn’t score. If we’d finished even half of our chances, we could have scored four.

“Celtic are a great team, with great individuals, and strong leadership. They have powerful wings, good control, and they are aggressive. They have great quality, but we believe in ours too.”

Marko Pjaca and Head Coach Nenad Bjelica are seen during Dinamo Zagreb press conference at Maksimir stadium in Zagreb, Croatia on December 9, 2024 ahead UEFA Champions League match against Celtic. Photo Sanjin Strukic/PIXSELL

Marko Pjaca, GNK Dinamo forward: “The Champions League is something special. The opponent is in good form. We know that the results haven’t been the best lately, but we believe in our quality.”

Match Officials: Referee – Felix Zwayer (Germany). Assistant referees – Robert Kempter and Christian Dietz (both Germany). Video Assistant Referee (VAR) – Sascha Stegemann (Germany). Assistant Video Assistant Referee – Johann Pfeifer (Germany). Fourth official – Florian Badstubner (Germany).

Kick-off Time: Dinamo Zagreb v Celtic kicks off at 7.45pm CPT*

Where to Watch or Listen: Dinamo Zagreb v Celtic will be broadcast live on TNT Sports with coverage beginning at 5pm on TNT Sports 2. Radio coverage comes via the BBC with live commentary on BBC Scotland Extra and BBC Radio 5 Live Extra; live text commentary on BBC Sport online.

* Celtic Park Time.