Former AC Milan defender Ivan Strinic has warned the Rossoneri to expect a tough game against Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia tonight and suggested one key absence could be decisive.
Strinic’s Milan career sadly seemed to be ended before it ever truly started. He was signed after the 2018 World Cup, but was later diagnosed with a heart condition, and only ever played few preseason minutes prior to the club official confirming his release in August.
However, it seems that he still follows the Rossoneri closely and especially given that they drew Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League group stages who are of course the champions of Strinic’s home country Croatia.
Strinic spoke to Croatian outlet Sportske Novosti about the game that will take place this evening, with his comments relayed by PianetaMilan and translated below.
“In the first match, Milan were not as superior as I thought. Dinamo turned out to be very solid and balanced and did not play badly,” he said.
“They held up well and created opportunities on the counterattack, from Milan – also because they played at home – I was expecting something more. In the end, however, the Rossoneri won and this is the most important thing, but the impression I had from Milan was not so great.”
What do you expect from today’s game?
“Dinamo definitely have a chance. They are a solid team, of high quality and have really good players in attack. You never know … In a match, with the Zagreb people at Maksimir, they can defeat anyone. And the fact that there is no Maignan will be an advantage for Dinamo. ”
Which Dinamo players will be able to decide the game?
“There are no Dinamo players more important than others, everyone contributes in their role. Dinamo are a good team, they have a large staff, which is why they always win in HNL. They are particularly strong in attack where they have Oršić, Petković, Ivanušec, Baturina… They are really dangerous.
“However, they have qualities in all positions with players like Ademi, Mišić… They are experienced and proven and know each other well. I would not exclude any of them. Everyone does their job very well and can be important.
“Dinamo were once not competitive in the Champions League ten years ago. In the meantime, however, the team has stabilised and having four points in four rounds shows that they are working seriously.”
