Dinamo Zagreb vs PAOK
UEFA Europa Conference League
Round of 16
Thursday
7th March 2024
Maksimir
The most comprehensive preview, detailed analysis and reliable predictions of the UEFA Europa Conference League fixture between Dinamo Zagreb and PAOK.
Dinamo Zagreb vs PAOK: Preview
Dinamo Zagreb form analysis
GNK Dinamo Zagreb’s hopes of qualifying to the knockouts of the conference League seemed slim to none after their first four fixtures. The club had suffered three continuous losses in those fixtures. They started the tournament with a massive 5-1 win against Astana at home. Their first defeat was a 2-0 loss against Ballkani away from home. Then it was followed by a narrow 0-1 loss against Viktoria Plzen at home. Only a penalty goal separated the sides. It was again a penalty that separated them in the reverse leg as they lost 1-0.
The club turned around their campaign with back to back wins. They defeated Astana once again this time away from home. Vidović and Kaneko scored in the 2-0 win. Three late goals against Ballkani at home completed a 3-0 win for the club.
Their most impressive win came against Real Betis in the round of 32. In the first leg on the road, Petković’s penalty secured the lead. They made it to his round after a 1-1 draw in the second leg.
PAOK form analysis
PAOK could not have asked for a better start to their campaign in the group stages, as they took sixteen points. They kicked off with a thrilling 2-3 win on the road against HJK. Koulierakis, Despodov and Brandon Thomas were the scorers for the visiting side. It was another entertaining win in their second game as they won 2-1 at home against Eintracht Frankfurt. Živković opened the scoring early in the game. In the chaotic dying moments which saw two men being sent off, Koulierakis converted a penalty to win for the home team.
Despodov, Vieirinha and Schwab scored in the 73rd, 84th and 90th minute respectively against Aberdeen on the road. In the process they pulled off an impressive comeback to win it 2-3. In the reverse fixture both teams settled for a point in the 2-2 draw. They then beat Frankfurt again by a 2-1 scoreline. Their final fixture ended 4-2 against HJK.
