Watch and download Slovan Bratislava vs Dinamo Zagreb full match replay.
KICK-OFF at 17:45 (UTC) on 5th November 2024
The referee for this match is A. Taylor
Game played at Štadión Tehelné pole
This is a match in Europe – UEFA Champions League 2024/2025, League Stage
ŠK Slovan Bratislava vs GNK Dinamo Zagreb: Super Sandro Strikes Twice as Slovan Slump
GNK Dinamo Zagreb secured a historic 4-1 comeback victory over ŠK Slovan Bratislava in the UEFA Champions League (UCL), marking their first back-to-back UCL wins since 1998. Sandro Kulenović led the charge with two crucial goals, sinking Slovan and extending their struggles in Europe.
Slovan Strikes First, But Dinamo Quickly Equalizes
The match opened with a dramatic first half at the Tehelné Pole stadium. Slovan Bratislava, led by Vladimír Weiss, were hoping to ride the momentum from their domestic success. They struck first in just the fifth minute when David Strelec capitalized on a rebound after Nino Marceli’s initial shot was blocked by Dinamo’s Raúl Torrente. This early lead brought excitement to the home crowd, as Slovan seemed set on achieving their first UCL win of the season.
However, Dinamo Zagreb responded with intensity. Dario Špikić broke through Slovan’s defense on the left flank just five minutes later, navigating past three defenders before managing an off-balance shot that snuck past goalkeeper Dominik Takáč at the near post. This equalizer within the first 10 minutes set the tone for Dinamo’s relentless attack throughout the game.
Dinamo’s Persistence Pays Off: Sučić’s Goal Amidst VAR Drama
With the game leveled, Dinamo pressed on to turn the match in their favor. A tense moment unfolded when referee Antony Taylor consulted VAR for a possible Slovan penalty. However, the decision ultimately favored Dinamo, who quickly capitalized. Petar Sučić found himself perfectly positioned and slotted Marko Pjaca’s cross past Takáč to give Dinamo a 2-1 lead, marking yet another goal conceded by Slovan in the first half – their sixth in just four UCL matches, the most by any team so far.
Slovan struggled to regain control and were left trailing as the teams went into halftime with Dinamo narrowly in the lead.
Sandro Kulenović Dominates the Second Half
The second half saw Slovan nearly finding an equalizer, only to be denied by Dinamo’s Ogiwara, who cleared a header off the line. Slovan’s frustration grew as Dinamo then launched a swift counterattack. Sandro Kulenović, Dinamo’s striker, coolly slotted the ball home from close range after a deflected pass found him in front of the goal, extending the lead to 3-1.
Kulenović wasn’t done yet. Minutes later, he delivered a spectacular right-footed drive from long range, curling the ball into the bottom corner and cementing Dinamo’s dominance with his second goal of the night. This 4-1 scoreline all but confirmed Slovan’s fourth consecutive UCL defeat, marking their worst losing streak in the competition.
Dinamo’s European Resurgence, Slovan’s Ongoing Struggles
While Dinamo Zagreb has rebounded impressively from their 9-2 defeat to Bayern Munich on the opening UCL matchday, Slovan Bratislava’s European form has continued to plummet. This loss extends Slovan’s record of consecutive defeats in major European competitions to seven. In contrast, Dinamo remains unbeaten in three UCL games, amassing seven points and looking increasingly confident as they eye a spot in the knockout stages.
Additionally, Dinamo has extended its unbeaten streak against Slovakian teams to seven matches, with five of those encounters being against Slovan Bratislava in European competition (W3, D2).
Looking Ahead
For GNK Dinamo Zagreb, this victory reinforces their position as strong contenders for advancing in the UCL, with players like Kulenović delivering crucial performances. As for Slovan Bratislava, this heavy defeat signals the need for urgent adjustments to halt their downward trajectory in European play.