Dinamo Zagreb vs Lyon
UEFA Champions League – Group H
Date: Tuesday, 22nd November, 2016,
Kick-Off at 19:45 UK,
Venue: Stadion Maksimir, Zagreb.
Dinamo Zagreb vs Olympique Lyon will be the final chance for Croatia’s record champion to somewhat salvage this season’s Champions League season. Dinamo have been already eliminated from the round of 16 of the Champions League, but a victory on November 22 at the Maksimir Stadium could put them within reach of the third spot, which would qualify the team for the round of 32 of the Europa League in the spring.
Given Dinamo’s Champions League record this season, however, it seems unlikely that the Croatians can carve out a victory against Olympique Lyon. Furthermore, Lyon still has a slim chance to reach the round of 16 if they manage to collect all three points.
The two clubs met last on matchday 1, and Olympique beat the Croatians 3-0 in what was a convincing victory. Dinamo then lost 4-0 at home to Juventus Turin on matchday 2, and then lost 1-0 at the Maksimir and then 4-0 away to Sevilla in what has been a group stage to forget for the club. Dinamo’s record is four defeats, with a goal differential of 0-12, which makes them the only club in the Champions League without a goal this season.
With this in mind it would be difficult to imagine Dinamo securing a much-needed victory at home against Olympique. Especially as the club is also struggling in the domestic Prva HNL where they tied NK Istra 1961 1-1 on Friday, a result that puts them 6 points behind league leaders HNK Rijeka (more on this here).
In fact Dinamo are in real danger of not just crashing and burning out of this season’s Champions League group stage, but also their dominance in domestic football. A second place finish in the Prva HNL would mean that the club would lose out on a Champions League qualification place for next season.
Hence, the match on Wednesday against Olympique Lyon will be in the shadow of the general crisis that has gripped the club, which gives the game a unique underlying storyline.
Dinamo Zagreb vs Lyon: Head to Head statistics
Dinamo Zagreb are lagging behind when comparing their previous games, they have lost their previous 3 games against Lyon. Lyon being the better sides, they have score 12 goals against Zagreb and conceded once.
The side from Zagreb have a poor record against French Ligue 1 teams. They were only able to manage 3 wins from 16 meetings, while drawn 3 games and lost 10 games. Zagreb have lost 5 games at home to French sides and won just twice drawing none.
At the same time, Lyon are unbeaten against teams from Croatia with 4 wins and a draw to their name. On Croatian soil, they have won once and drawn once in their previous 2 games.
Dinamo Zagreb vs Lyon: Prediction
All odds are against Zagreb in this game, they have a very poor record against Lyon and French teams. Also they have been poor in form in the current competition. Probability of Zagreb getting a point in this game is almost zero as Lyon are huge favourite despite playing away from home.
Lyon will surely make it to the fourth win over Zagreb, but it won’t be easy for them. We expect the two teams to get on the score sheet.
