Dinamo Zagreb vs Sevilla - Dinamo Zagreb can beat Europa League champions Sevilla

Posted Tuesday, October 18, 2016 by PA

Ivaylo Petev will take charge of Dinamo Zagreb for the first time in the Champions League when they take on Sevilla.

Dinamo's first three matches of the group stage will have been overseen by three different coaches. Zlatko Kranjcar was in charge against Lyon, Zeljko Sopic was caretaker boss against Juventus and Petev will be at the helm on Tuesday night.

Petev, who will be without the suspended Davor Lovren, will be looking for improvement as Dinamo look to get their first points on the board, after back-to-back defeats and no goals, but it knows it will be difficult against the Europa League holders.

"I believe we have a chance against Sevilla, but it won't be easy for us," he said at his pre-match press conference.

"You all know what they achieved in the last three years, they have class players and are a really top team."

Petev has changed goalkeepers since his arrival, with 18-year-old Adrian Semper making way for 21-year-old Dominik Livakovic, who made his debut in the recent goalless draw against Hajduk Split.

After keeping a clean sheet against Slaven Koprivnica in Dinamo's last league game, Livakovic is dreaming of keeping the run going and repeating the feat on his Champions League bow.

He said: "I don't suffer from stage fright. I see this match as some kind of dream come true. It will be emotional during the warm-up and the pre-match ceremony, but once the game kicks off those feelings will be gone.

"I will just try to do my best. I am ready, I am full of confidence and I like big matches. I really believe we can do something good against Sevilla."

Sevilla arrive in Croatia level on four points with group leaders Juventus and with a chance of gaining the outright lead in Group H.

Club president Jose Castro admits that is the aim, but acknowledges that Dinamo will be tough opposition, despite the start they have made to the pool.

"It will be a difficult game," he told the club's official website.

"We will try to win, we have our options, but the favourite is the one that wins. It's important because a win on Tuesday and a win here (in the return fixture) and we could have control of the group.

"But we have our feet on the ground. Juve have double our budget and a great staff. Coming top is complicated."