Our prediction for this Champions League match:
Dinamo Zagreb
Match Time & Date:
14/08/2018
02:00 PM
Prediction: 1-0
FC Astana
Thanks to a 2-0 win over Astana in Kazakhstan Dinamo Zagreb moved one step closer to booking their place in the Champions League fourth qualifying round, but their job is only half done. The Croatian champions need to take the return leg very seriously if they are to make it to the next qualifying and given their thrilling form, we are positive that the Modri are going to give fans yet another reason for celebration on Tuesday evening. A man to watch in the home team will be experienced attacker Mario Budimir, who found the net in the first leg. The visitors must be low on confidence ahead of the trip to Zagreb and, taking everything into account, we believe that the Kazaks are going to return home empty-handed. You should bear in mind that Dinamo Zagreb outclassed Hapoel Be’er Sheva 5-0 in their last home game in the Champions League qualifiers.
Highlighted Player (Dmitri Shomko):
Born in Ekibastuz, Kazakhstan on March 19, 1990 Dmitri Andreievich Shomko is a defender who plays for Astana. Shomko is a product of his home-town club Ekibastuzets, but he started his senior career at Batyr Ekibastuz.
As expected, the 182-cm tall footballer returned to his boyhood club and it has to be noted that he made nine appearances in the league for Ekibastuzets. Dmitri Shomko then moved to Irtysh Pavlodar and he played for the Kazak club from 2009 to 2014. In 2011 he was sent on loan to Astana and three years later he signed a permanent deal with the Blue and Yellows. His main position is left-back, but he is used as a left midfielder as well.
Over the years Shomko has established himself as a first-team regular at Kazakhstan national football team and he made his debut for the Hawks on February 2, 2011 in a 1-1 draw with Belarus. Shomko came as a substitute for Nurgaliev in the 85th minute of the match. He has 17 caps for the U21 team as well.
Highlighted Team (FC Astana):
Astana are a professional football club based in Astana, Kazakhstan. The Blue and Yellows were founded in 2009 and five years later they won their first Kazakhstan Premier League trophy. Astana managed to defend their title in 2015, with the team finishing the season just one point clear of Kairat in the standings.
The Kazakhs participated in the Champions League group stages in the 2015/2016 season, but they failed to record a win in the elite competition. However, it has to be noted that they managed to hold star-studded Atletico Madrid to a goalless draw in front of home fans. Astana play their home games at Astana Arena and the capacity of the venue is 30 244.
The stadium was opened on 3 July, 2009 and the construction cost $185 million. Astana’s home kits are yellow with blue strips and they play their away games in navy-blue kits. The team recorded their biggest win on 19 June, 2011 when they outclassed Kairat 6-1 in the Kazakhstan Premier League.
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