Dinamo Zagreb vs Monaco: Preview, Predictions and Lineups

Things can only go up for Dinamo Zagreb when they take on Monaco in their second league phase game of the 2024/25 Champions League season.

Dinamo suffered defeat two weeks ago when they lost 9-2 to Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena. At the start of the second half, the visitors significantly reduced the deficit to 3-2 before the hosts tried again and increased the score towards the end of the match.

Their poor performance on matchday one means they find themselves at the bottom of the league stage at this early stage.

Monaco, on the other hand, had fun at the start of the season against Barcelona. Eric Garcia's sending off in the first half was a big help for Adi Hutter's team. George Ilenikhena ensured the French team started with a win after Lamine Yamal equalized for the visitors.

The Ligue 1 side celebrated their 100th anniversary at the weekend with a dramatic victory over Montpellier, which ensured they finished the weekend level on points with Paris Saint-Germain at the top of the table.

Here is 90 minutes Guide to Monaco's clash with Dinamo Zagreb.

Location: Zagreb, Croatia
Stadium: Maksimir Stadium
Date: Wednesday, October 2nd
Kick-off time: 20:00 BST / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT
referee: Harm Osmers (GER)
VAR: Christian Dingert (GER)

Dinamo Zagreb vs Monaco H2H results

This is the first competitive game between Dinamo Zagreb and Monaco.

Current form (all competitions)

The hosts' defense is limited with Dino Peric currently out of action with a knock and Mauro Perkovic suffering from a knee injury. Raul Torrente scored two late goals in Dinamo's stunning home win at the weekend and is a sure bet to retain his place in the hosts' back four.

Martin Baturina has been included in Croatia's Euro 2024 squad and is the man to watch on Wednesday in what could be an exciting midfield battle. Experienced striker Bruno Petkovic will once again take the lead.

Predicted line-up of Dinamo Zagreb vs Monaco (4-5-1): Nevistic; Ristovski, Bernauer, Torrente, Pierre-Gabriel; Misic, Ademi, Cordoba, Baturina, Hoxha; Petkovic.

Edan Diop and Radoslaw Majecki are struggling with foot and ankle injuries respectively and will miss Wednesday's game. The pair could return to action after the international break.

Lamine Camara was Monaco's injury-time hero at the weekend as he beat Montpellier with a late goal, and the midfielder could work his way back into Hutter's XI in this game.

Folarin Balogun, Aleksandr Golovin, Denis Zakaria and Breel Embolo are well-known names in the starting eleven for the visitors.

Monaco's expected line-up against Dinamo Zagreb (4-2-2-2): Kohn; Vanderson, Singo, Salisu, Henrique; Camara, Zakaria; Golovin, Akilouche; Balogun, Embolo.

Things won't get any worse for Dinamo as they want to get rid of Bayern's terror with a strong performance.

However, their domestic form suggests a team is struggling to get going at the start of the new season – even if they did manage to secure a comfortable win at the weekend.

The hosts will make a good fist of it at home, but Monaco have started the season brilliantly and only seem to be improving under Hutter. This is a young team that still has a lot to learn, but a mature performance should get them over the finish line in Zagreb.

Prediction: Dinamo Zagreb – Monaco 1:2

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