Champions League | League Stage

Nov 5, 2024 at 5.45pm UK

Stadion Tehelne pole

Slovan Bratislava vs Dinamo Zagreb

Match preview

Slovan Bratislava have had a pretty rough time in Europe's top tournament. They lost 5-1 against Celtic on 18 September and 4-0 against Manchester City on 1 October.

Belasi played well against Girona, but despite only conceding two good chances, they didn't create any and only had 36% possession.

Tuesday's hosts are currently at the top of the Slovakian league with 31 points from 12 matches, one point ahead of second-placed Zilina with a game in hand.

Manager Vladimir Weiss's side have won their last three games, and while they've lost their last three Champions League matches, they did win five and draw three of their last eight in the competition.

Slovan Bratislava's loss to Manchester City was just their first home defeat in the Champions League in their last five attempts. They'd won the prior four games at Stadion Tehelne pole.

Meanwhile, Dinamo Zagreb are currently in one of the Champions League's round of 16 spots and are just one point ahead of Bayern Munich.

The visitors restricted Pep Lijnders's Salzburg to just one big chance on Tuesday. Despite the Austrian side being reduced to 10 men after goalkeeper Alexander Schlager was sent off in the 66th minute, the Blues were the deserved winners.

Boss Nenad Bjelica will be really pleased with the win, especially after his side got thrashed 9-2 by Bayern on 17 September.

Bjelica's team are currently placed third in the Croatian top flight with 23 points from 12 matches, just four points behind leaders Hajduk Split.

Dinamo Zagreb have won five, drawn two and lost one of their last eight games. They've won four and drawn one of their last five away games.

Recent Performance

Slovan Bratislava Champions League form:DDWLLL

Slovan Bratislava form (all competitions):DWLWWW

Dinamo Zagreb Champions League form:WWLDW

Dinamo Zagreb form (all competitions):DWDWLW

Team News

The hosts will be without midfielder Juraj Kucka until mid-December due to a meniscus injury, while forward Robert Mak is not scheduled to return until late November.

Slovan Bratislava might start centre-backs Kenan Bajric, Guram Kashia and Kevin Wimmer in front of goalkeeper Dominik Takac.

Danylo Ignatenko and Kyriakos Savvidis might team up in midfield, with Tigran Barseghyan, Marko Tolic and David Strelec up front.

Dinamo Zagreb will have to do without striker Bruno Petkovic and goalkeeper Ivan Nevistic for the next few weeks.

Danijel Zagorac could start in goal, while Sandro Kulenovic is likely to lead the line ahead of attacking midfielder Martin Baturina.

It looks like Petar Sucic, Arijan Ademi and Josip Misic will be starting in midfield together, with Ademi playing the deepest position of the three.

Possible starting lineups

Slovan Bratislava possible starting lineup:

Takac; Bajric, Kashia, Wimmer; Blackman, Ignatenko, Savvidis, Zuberu; Barseghyan, Tolic; Strelec

Dinamo Zagreb possible starting lineup:

Zagorac; Theophile-Catherine, Bernauer, Torrente; Ristovski, Sucic, Ademi, Misic, Ogiwara; Baturina, Kulenovic