Qarabag vs D. Zagreb Prediction: 28/8/2024

During their first leg against Dinamo Zagreb, Qarabag FK faced a tough challenge, despite being the top scorers in the qualifiers with 15 goals in just four matches.

The Azerbaijani side struggled, although the gap in quality between the teams wasn’t particularly evident. The match started with a cautious approach from both sides, but it was Marko Pjaca, a former Juventus player, who broke the deadlock at the 29-minute mark, putting Dinamo ahead 1-0. The teams went into halftime with Dinamo leading by a single goal.

In the second half, Dinamo Zagreb extended their lead when Kulenovic scored in the 74th minute, making it 2-0, and then added another goal in the 80th minute following a defensive error, sealing a 3-0 victory. Despite the scoreline, Qarabag had numerous chances, including 18 shots and a missed one-on-one opportunity by Juninho in the first half, as well as another miss from just two meters out. Dinamo Zagreb’s clinical finishing and Qarabag’s missed opportunities resulted in a harsh 3-0 defeat.

Dinamo Zagreb, already leading their domestic league, played their first Champions League match of the season and came out victorious. Despite Qarabag’s numerous missed chances, Dinamo’s 3-0 lead from the first leg gives them a significant advantage. The second leg promises to be an exciting encounter, especially with Qarabag’s potent attack.

Qarabag FK, which provided seven players for the Azerbaijani national team during the last international break, is heavily reliant on foreign talent. Key players include former Lille striker Benzia, who scored 12 goals last season, and ex-Lens forward Zoubir, who netted 8 goals, although both were quiet in the first leg. Striker Juninho, who has scored six goals in five Champions League qualifying matches, had multiple chances but failed to convert.

Their main goalkeeper, Shahrudin Mahammadaliyev, is out due to a long-term injury, so Buntic, a new recruit, started in goal and conceded all three goals. Additionally, international striker Musa Qurbanli and Montenegrin internationals Vesovic and Jankovic are unavailable.

Dinamo Zagreb, though they’ve lost key players like Orsic over the years, still have a strong squad, including striker Petkovic, who has scored 69 goals in 215 matches. Marko Pjaca, who recently returned to Dinamo, opened the scoring in the first leg, and Kulenovic came off the bench to score twice. However, they are missing central defender Mauro Perkovic and Iranian international Moharami, with captain Ademi’s participation uncertain.

 

Prediction

Qarabag is currently on an 11-match winless streak in the Champions League, with five of their last nine matches ending in defeat. In contrast, Dinamo Zagreb is in strong form, suggesting that the Croatian side has the upper hand.

Prediction: Qarabag 1 : 2 Dinamo Zagreb.