An Introduction to Dinamo Zagreb: What Can Sunderland Expect?

Tonight, Sunderland will host Dinamo Zagreb in the second Europa League home game of their campaign. Dinamo Zagreb, Croatia's capital city, is a club with a rich history and an impressive record. Established in 1911 during the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the club was dissolved during the communist era but quickly reformed three days later.

They changed their name to Croatia Zagreb in 1993, but fans rejected it, so Dinamo Zagreb returned in 2000. The club is Croatia's most successful team, having won the league 25 times and the Croatian Cup and Super Cup a record 18 and eight times, respectively.

Among Dinamo Zagreb's legendary players are Luka Modric, the Ballon D'Or winner who started his career with the club, and Mario Mandzukic, Dejan Lovren, Marcelo Brozovic, Mateo Kovacic, Josko Gvardiol, and Dani Olmo. Maksimir Stadium, Dinamo Zagreb's home ground, was built in 1912 and currently accommodates around 25,000 fans after an earthquake in 2020 damaged a stand. The stadium has also hosted international matches, including a recent game between Croatia and Montenegro.

Dinamo Zagreb currently sits second in the Croatian League, four points behind leaders Hajduk Split, with a game in hand. They have played four Europa League games so far, drawing one and winning three. The team will be without a manager after Mario Kovacevic was sacked following a 1-0 defeat to Rudes.