Dinamo Zagreb remain Croatia’s most recognisable club name, founded in 1911 and still centred on Stadion Maksimir. For Celtic supporters, they are familiar enough as the sort of European opponent whose domestic authority usually comes with a sharper edge than the league label alone might suggest.
Their 2026-27 season is under way with Dinamo sitting second in the HNL, while their European programme has taken them through the Champions League qualifying play-offs and into the Europa League league phase. The squad is sizeable – 44 players, with an average age of 24 – and valued at around £49.5m by Transfermarkt.
At Maksimir, the numbers point to a side with clear control: an average of 2.6 goals scored and 0.6 conceded per home match. Away from home, the picture is looser. Dinamo still carry a threat, scoring 2.5 per match, but conceding 2.3 suggests there is space to be found if they are moved about and forced to defend for longer spells.
Dion Drena Beljo has been the obvious attacking reference point with 17 goals, well ahead of Lukas Kacavenda and Miha Zajc on four each. Dinamo have also struck first inside 20 minutes in six of 19 league matches, so slow starts against them tend to be punished rather than politely noted.
Their recent league form has had a jagged edge: a 5-1 win away to Slaven Belupo followed earlier defeats at Hajduk Split and Osijek, with a 3-2 home win over Lokomotiva Zagreb and a 1-0 against Gorica keeping the momentum from breaking altogether. They look like a strong, attack-minded side with European experience, but not one without visible defensive stress away from home.
