Decisive night at Maksimir: prediction for Dinamo Zagreb vs Thun
The second qualifying round clash of the 2026/27 Champions League between Dinamo Zagreb and Thun will take place on July 28 at the Maksimir Stadium in Zagreb. After a 1-1 draw in Switzerland, the race for the next round remains wide open, but now the Croatian side enjoys the advantage of their home ground.
Dinamo Zagreb: home turf expected to tip the scales
Mario Kovačević’s side had a tough time in their first official match of the season. Dinamo conceded after a flank attack and struggled to regain control for a long spell, but after the break they noticeably stepped up, amped up the pressure around the opposition’s box, and managed to equalize in the 86th minute thanks to Miha Zajc.
Substitutions played a crucial role: Fran Topić came off the bench and almost immediately delivered a decisive assist. The squad depth allows Kovačević to reshape his attacking line on the fly, and at Maksimir, the Zagreb side will surely try to impose a high tempo from the opening whistle.
Thun: cautious tactics could backfire again
The Swiss team held their own at home and managed to make the favorites sweat. Thun actively used the flanks, took the lead through a Brighton Labo goal, and looked more dangerous before halftime, but then dropped too deep and allowed Dinamo to seize the initiative.
Heading to Zagreb, the visitors have no new personnel issues, and the partnership of Fabio Fera and Labo remains the team’s main attacking threat. However, Gianluca Privitelli will have to find the right balance between defensive solidity and the need to push forward: sitting deep for long spells at Dinamo’s ground could end much worse than it did in the first leg.
Match facts and head-to-head
- The first leg in Switzerland ended 1-1.
- Both teams have scored in Thun’s last seven matches.
- At least two goals were scored in the second half in six of Dinamo’s last nine games and in five of Thun’s last seven.
Hosts to ramp up the pressure: Dinamo Zagreb vs Thun prediction
Dinamo didn’t show their best football in the first encounter, but managed to turn the tide after the break. On home soil, the Croatian side should look much more confident, and their deeper attacking options give Kovačević the tools to maintain a high tempo throughout the match.
Thun are capable of creating chances and will likely exploit the space left by the hosts’ defense again. However, it will be tough for the visitors to withstand constant pressure at Maksimir, especially if they once more focus too early on defending their own penalty area.
