Dinamo Zagreb suffered a setback in their Europa League knockout round playoff campaign, falling 3-1 to Genk at Maksimir Stadium on . The result hands Genk a significant advantage heading into the second leg, scheduled for .
Bryan Heynen opened the scoring for Genk in the 15th minute, quickly followed by Zakaria El Ouahdi’s goal in the 21st minute, establishing an early lead for the Belgian side. Dinamo Zagreb managed to pull one back before halftime through Dion Drena Beljo in the 44th minute, but the goal proved insufficient to spark a comeback. El Ouahdi sealed the victory with a second goal in the 90th minute, completing a brace and solidifying Genk’s position.
The match, attended by 10,554 fans, saw Genk control possession with 45.1% of the ball compared to Dinamo Zagreb’s 54.9%. However, Genk’s clinical finishing proved decisive, converting on a higher percentage of their chances. Genk recorded 6 shots on goal to Dinamo Zagreb’s 2, and 8 shot attempts to Dinamo Zagreb’s 12.
Dinamo Zagreb’s starting lineup featured Dominik Livakovic in goal, a defensive line of Moris Valincic, Scott McKenna, Sergi Domínguez, and Matteo Vinlöf, with Josip Misic anchoring the midfield alongside Luka Stojkovic, Miha Zajc, and Fran Topic. Arbër Hoxha and Dion Drena Beljo led the attack. Manager Mario Kovacevic opted for a 4-1-4-1 formation.
Genk’s lineup saw them deploy a 4-2-3-1 formation. The team’s performance was particularly highlighted by El Ouahdi’s two goals, which were described as a “héérlijke kap” (delicious skill) by sporza.be, contributing to a “kanonstart” (cannon start) for Genk. HBVL noted the importance of a midfielder, though the specific player was not named, who was “van goudwaarde” (of gold value) to Genk’s success.
The victory represents a significant step towards the Europa League’s eighth finals for Genk. The team’s performance in Zagreb suggests they are well-positioned to advance, though the second leg will still require a focused effort. The result also places pressure on Dinamo Zagreb to deliver a strong performance in Belgium to have any chance of progressing in the competition.
Following the match, Genk coach Nicky Hayen received a “warme knuffel” (warm hug) from Genk legend Branko Strupar, as reported by HBVL, signifying the positive atmosphere surrounding the team’s performance. This gesture underscores the importance of the victory for the club and its supporters.
The game also saw two yellow cards issued to Dinamo Zagreb and none to Genk. Corner kicks were awarded 4 to Dinamo Zagreb and 3 to Genk. Livakovic made 3 saves for Dinamo Zagreb, while the Genk goalkeeper recorded 1 save.
The statistics reveal a game where Genk was efficient in front of goal, capitalizing on their opportunities despite being slightly less dominant in possession. Dinamo Zagreb, while controlling more of the ball, struggled to convert their chances into goals. The second leg promises to be a crucial encounter, with Dinamo Zagreb needing to overcome the two-goal deficit to keep their Europa League hopes alive.
The match was broadcast on Paramount+ in the United States, offering fans the opportunity to witness Genk’s impressive performance firsthand. CBS Sports is also providing coverage of the Europa League, with live updates and highlights available on their platform.
The win for Genk builds on their recent form and demonstrates their capability to compete at a high level in European competition. For Dinamo Zagreb, the defeat represents a disappointing result and a challenge to regroup and refocus for the return leg. The outcome sets the stage for an intriguing second encounter, with both teams aware of the stakes involved.
