Cufre ready for kick-off

Posted Thursday, September 17, 2009 by PA

Dinamo Zagreb defender Leandro Cufre believes the Croatian champions have a great chance of making progress in Europe this season.

Dinamo launch their Europa League Group A campaign on Thursday with a home tie against Belgian side Anderlecht.

Argentinian Cufre was Dinamo's highest profile signing this summer after agreeing to move back to Europe following a spell in his homeland with Gimnasia La Plata.

Now the former Roma, Monaco and Hertha Berlin defender is looking to make his mark in a group that also includes Ajax and FC Timisoara.

He told www.nk-dinamo.hr: "Before us is a very important match. I think that Anderlecht are a battling team against whom I played in the Champions League when I was in Roma, and we all have to be very careful.

"The most important thing is that we control the game and we have the ball, but we must still work.

"This is the only way we can achieve great results. But I think we have a great chance to achieve things in Europe. For us to beat Anderlecht would be a great start to this competition."

Cufre, who has been capped four times by Argentina, was officially unveiled this week and already feels at home in the Croatian capital.

"My family arrived in Zagreb about two weeks ago and we are all really happy with Zagreb. This is a beautiful city and the adjustment is not a problem because we have already lived for years in Europe.

"I'm learning Croatian but I understand the language of football," added the 30-year-old.

Dinamo served notice of their intent with a 4-2 win against Scottish side Hearts in the play-off round, which included a 4-0 home win.

They also go into the game knowing Anderlecht have lost both their previous games in Croatia - to Hadjuk Split and NK Osijek.

The Belgians were well beaten in qualifying for the Champions League, losing 8-1 on aggregate to Lyon, and must cope with something of an injury crisis.

Marcin Wasilewski (broken leg) and Jan Polak (cruciate ligament) are both out long term after undergoing surgery while Matias Suarez is rated very doubtful.

The Argentinian has missed training in the run-up to the match at the Maksimir Stadium because of a thigh injury while Jelle Van Damme has a similar problem but Roland Juhasz (chest) should be fit.