2 Dinamo Zagreb vs 2 Monaco
Monaco looking to end seven-game winless away run in visit to Zagreb.
As Dinamo Zagreb seeks redemption from a record-breaking Champions League drubbing, they face the challenge of halting Monaco's winning momentum in a captivating clash at Stadion Maksimir.
Dinamo Zagreb
Matchday 1 was nothing short of catastrophic for Dinamo Zagreb, as Vincent Kompany's Bayern Munich delivered a ruthless 9-2 thrashing. This set a UEFA Champions League record as the first team to score nine goals in a single match.
Since that humiliating defeat, Zagreb have managed to regain some stability, winning two of their next three fixtures in all competitions. A commanding 5-1 victory over NK Lokomotiva Zagreb this past weekend offers a potential boost in confidence.
However, the Croatian side faces an uphill battle as they prepare to take on Monaco. Historically, Zagreb has struggled against French opposition, going winless in their last 12 meetings with Ligue 1 teams [0W, 2D, 10L].
Zagreb’s defensive frailties in Europe are also a growing concern, as they have now conceded 14 goals in their last two major continental fixtures. Another defensive collapse could see them become just the second team in Champions League history to concede 10 goals in their first two games.
Bruno Petković, who found the back of the net against Bayern, is expected to lead the line in a 4-5-1 formation. Zagreb will be without Dino Perić and Mauro Perković, who are sidelined with knee injuries.
Monaco
In stark contrast, Monaco opened their Champions League campaign with a shock 2-1 win over Hansi Flick’s high-flying Barcelona on Matchday 1. The French side hasn’t slowed down since, securing back-to-back league victories while sitting level on points with Paris Saint-Germain, who are at the summit of Ligue 1.
With their attention now turning back to Europe, Monaco will be keen to extend their winning streak. Although this will be their first-ever meeting with a Croatian team in European competition, Monaco can take inspiration from their domestic dominance.
French clubs have won seven of their previous eight UEFA Champions League encounters with Croatian sides, all against Dinamo Zagreb. However, Monaco’s poor away form in Europe remains a concern, as they have won just one of their last 11 Champions League away fixtures and are winless in their last seven, with their last victory on the road coming in a 3-2 win over Borussia Dortmund in April 2017.
Manager Adi Hütter is expected to stick with a 4—5—1 setup, having Breel Embolo leading the attack. The squad will be without Edan Diop and Radosław Majecki, both sidelined due to injuries.
Team form
Showing the latest five games—giving you a quick look at recent performance trends. Teams in good form tend to do well in the next match.
Team Comparison
Side-by-side assessment of team statistics, including goals, attacks, and more. This allows you to directly compare key performance metrics. Analyzing these stats can reveal patterns and strengths that might influence the outcome.