Dinamo Zagreb remain Croatia’s most recognisable club presence, founded in 1911 and based at Stadion Maksimir. For Celtic supporters, they sit in familiar European territory: a domestic power with enough technical quality to punish loose work, but not a side whose profile needs dressing up.
Their 2026-27 season is in progress with Dinamo second in the HNL, while their European programme has included the Champions League qualifying play-offs and the Europa League league phase. The squad is large – 43 players – and relatively young, with an average age of 24. Transfermarkt puts its market value at around £49.5m.
Their home form carries the obvious warning. Dinamo are averaging three goals scored and just 0.3 conceded per match at Stadion Maksimir, a combination of strong attacking output and a tight defensive record. Away from home the picture is less controlled: they still carry a threat, averaging two goals scored, but concede at the same rate.
Dion Drena Beljo has led their scoring with eight goals, with Lukas Kacavenda next on four. Arber Hoxha, Mateo Lisica and Miha Zajc have each added two. Dinamo have also struck first inside 20 minutes in six of 18 league matches, so slow starts against them are not a sensible policy.
Recent league results point to a side in solid shape rather than one coasting. A 2-2 draw at Istra 1961 followed wins over Varazdin, Rudes and Slaven Belupo, with a goalless draw against Lokomotiva Zagreb the only real interruption in that run.
Dinamo Zagreb are currently a strong domestic contender with clear home advantage and a less convincing away defensive profile. For Celtic, they are a credible European opponent rather than an unknown quantity.
