Dinamo fail to shine

By Elvir Islamovic

After winning impressively against rivals HNK Hajduk Split, it was expected that NK Dinamo Zagreb would continue their good run towards the top of the table. But instead Dinamo's form has fluctuated and after they lost in the city derby against NK Zagreb 2-1, club vice-president Zdravko Mamic fined his players €10,000 for poor performances and results.

'Irresponsible players'
"The players have acted irresponsibly. Players who wear the Dinamo shirt have to be better than this," coach Nenad Gračan said. Gračan will hope the financial penalty acts as a short-term shock for the team that did well to beat NK Medimurje 4-1 but then failed to overcome NK Kamen Ingrad on 4 October, the away game finishing 0-0.

European incentive
Reaching the UEFA Cup group stage at least gives his squad, a mixture of promising young talents and experienced campaigners, additional incentive over the coming weeks but they need to show much more to climb away from the middle reaches of the Croatian First League.

Kranjčar dropped
The main focus in recent weeks has been the form of Dinamo's 20-year-old captain and starlet Niko Kranjčar, who was dropped to the bench after failing to shine. Deputising as skipper is fellow midfielder Jasmin Agic, a member of the national side.

Munhoz on the mark
Meanwhile, Hajduk have gone three games without defeat, posting two impressive victories for a goal difference of 6-0 following a 1-1 home draw with NK Osijek. In the last match against HNK Rijeka, striker Pablo Munhoz scored his first goal in Hajduk colours. It was also the first-ever goal by a Uruguayan player in the Croatian league. "This is my first goal for Hajduk, but not my last," Munhoz promised.

Blaževic back
Elsewhere, coach Miroslav Blaževic returned to the helm of NK Varteks after surgery for cancer but failed to bring any success to the team, Varteks losing 4-0 at home to Hajduk. There were also changes at the club with sports director Nevenko Herjavec stepping down and Branko Janžek succeeding him.

Inter still ahead
There was no change at the top of the table, however, with NK Inter Zaprešic still ahead. Yet they have been unable to maintain their excellent form, losing 2-0 to Rijeka and drawing 1-1 with NK Pula 1856, both away from home. As a result, Hajduk and Dinamo might see this as the right time to get serious and overtake the team from Zapresic.