2023/2024 Conference League Group C: Dinamo Zagreb - Viktoria Plzen - Astana - Ballkani

[riki]

So going to the Conference League instead where allegedly Dinamo Zagreb is a titan and would be smashing everyone else was great.

This would (probably) be true if Dinamo had squad similar to those that played EL and CL last 3-4 years.

However this is not the case this year. Lots of turbulence after winning the league title last year - changes/uncertainties in club leadership department, restricted budget or just plain bad planning and execution during few past transfer windows.
Following bad start of the season (both domestically and in UEFA) Dinamo sold several key players (national team goalkeeper, right winger, defender), continued with bad results and then completed some questionable transfers ad-hoc. Following injuries of some first squad players, coach change etc. there is obvious decline in quality.

Even though both media and fans had consensus that falling into Conference League was a failure, recent form and results (worst season start in past 20yrs) proves the point that Dinamo will struggle to pass this group. So this was a blessing in disguise as in EL we would see low point count for sure.

There is a lot of space for improvement - and that is the only positive thing at the moment.

Home game on Thursday against Viktoria will be key in decision if Dinamo will sack second coach this season; which in case of another loss (3 out of last 4 matches) will probably happen, even though issues are on different levels.

[babaluj1]

Some new people took over power in Dinamo last year, it is very visible in the results, and soon it will be visible in the financial condition of the club.
Dinamo is in a free fall, according to the clubelo rating, it fell from 59th place to 155th place in the last year and is sinking deeper and deeper. This is the weakest Dinamo in the last 10 years since the 2013/14 season. Viktoria is the favorite to win this group, Dinamo will probably finish second, but may be eliminated in the group.

[Dragonite]

Congratulations Viktoria Plzen!


Last season at this stage they were bottom of their CL group with a 0-0-3 and -11GD. Now they're top of this Conference League group with a 3-0-0!

They're already the best ever Czech team in a Conference League group: Jablonec got 6 points in 2021/2022, Slavia Praha got 8 points in 2021/2022 and again 8 points in 2022/2023, and Slovácko got 5 points in 2022/2023.

[riki]

Congratulations Viktoria!
They are only team this year in ECL to get 4/4 - 12 pts on Matchday 4, securing 1st spot.
(previously it was only achieved by Villareal and West Ham in 2023 in Conference League)

Funny thing that both games against Dinamo were won 1-0 from penalty kicks.

Meanwhile - struggle for 2nd spot will continue between Dinamo Zagreb, Balkani and Astana (possibly in this order).
Dinamo Zagreb might look like still to have a good chance here (playing away with Astana, home with Balkani) to get 2nd spot - but reminder stands from few posts above (and recent performance - last 3 UEFA games lost in a row, no goal scored) - we are in huge problems on all levels which reflects on bad results in both domestic and euro competitions (another trivia - this year Dinamo has won only over Astana in CL-Q and ECL-G having played 10 games so far edit: correction +1 win against Sparta).

This is so far worst performance since 2006 looking plain at coefficients (when Dinamo was kicked out of round 1 of Uefa Cup by Auxerre)

[Dragonite]

Congratulations Viktoria Plzen!


They already won this group with 2 games to spare. They're the "Conference League Bayern".

[riki]

Matchday 5


Viktoria is currently the best performing Conf League group stage team with 5/5 w - 15pts

Dinamo Zagreb recovered in Kazahstan again (4th win against Astana this year) keeping good chances to secure 2nd spot with (at least) a draw in final round at home against Ballkani.
Astana can progress with a win in case Ballkani wins as well. Ballkani will progress with any win if Astana fails to win.

[Dragonite]

Viktoria Plzen has more points in this group than all the other teams combined!!!

This group at the moment has both the best first placed team, Viktoria Plzen, and the best last placed team, Ballkani.

[Firnen]

Prediction

1. Dinamo Zagreb
2. Viktoria Plzen
3. Astana
4. Ballkani

Dinamo Zagreb was way worse than anyone anticipated.

[wawrinka1]

Dinamo Zagreb was way worse than anyone anticipated.

Look at the posts above and then repeat this if you still think the same

[Dragonite]

Congratulations Dinamo Zagreb for advancing from this group!


It was the bare minimum.

Actually no, it wasn't the bare minimum, they would have advanced with a draw too.

Prediction:
1. Dinamo Zagreb
2. Viktoria Plzen
3. Astana
4. Ballkani

I was right about Astana third and Ballkani last, but wrong about Dinamo Zagreb winning the group above Viktoria Plzen.

[Polak]

Initial prediction

Astana (in their current state) and Balkani are much weaker than their opponents. The only question is who finishes in 1st and 2nd and who finishes 3rd and 4th.

1. Dinamo Zagreb
2. Viktoria Plzen
3. Ballkani
4. Astana

Actual table

1. Viktoria Plzen
2. Dinamo Zagreb
3. Astana
4. Ballkani

As I said the top 2 and the bottom 2 were pretty much a foregone conclusion and the only question was who would be 1st and 2nd and who would be 3rd and 4th. I got both the wrong way round though. Dinamo Zagreb obtained far fewer points than I expected. Astana finished above Ballkani because of a better head to head since they goal difference was much poorer.

[Greyn]

Ballkani - Dinamo Zagreb match is suspected of being fixed.

At the beginning of October 2023, Dinamo was defeated 2:0 by the local champion Ballkani as part of the Conference League in Kosovo. It is one of the most embarrassing European defeats for Dinamo in the last few years.

Almost six months after the match, it again came into the center of media attention. The reason for this is the investigation launched by the local authorities. According to their claims, it is suspected that the match was fixed.

For now, there are no details except that the investigation is ongoing, and Ballkani has already distanced itself from any set-up in a statement:

"An attempt is being made to devalue the exceptional and historic victory achieved against the great Dinamo Zagreb team, a match that captivated the European and world media with the great success of our team. We call on all instances of justice, the prosecutor's office and the court, investigators and journalists to seriously deal with this issue, illuminating the public with every possible detail. And when that's done, hold everyone involved in this story accountable. because we cannot allow the name of our club, our work and sweat to be tarnished", said the Kosovo champion.

https://ofenziva.ffa.hr/vijesti/utakmic ... ja/555667/

I don't know what to think about that. Maybe it is indeed just an attempt to ruin reputation of both clubs, but I guess we have to wait and see for results of this investigation.