How Benfica overpowered Dinamo Zagreb’s siege mentality to march into the Europa League quarter-finals

The Blue dream has come to its conclusion. Dinamo Zagreb tried as much as they possibly could have, but at the end of the day, Benfica are a better, bigger and more organised team than the Blues from the Croatian capital. There was always going to be only one winner after the brawl in Portugal.

Still, the underdogs were one step away from a historic victory, and the biggest European achievement in the club’s history. Dinamo Zagreb took Benfica all the way to extra-time only to suffer a hard 3-0 defeat at the hands of their hosts.

This tactical analysis will use statistics to determine how in the battle of the Estadio da Luz, Goliath crushed David and advanced to the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

Lineups

Dinamo Zagreb (4-1-4-1)

Starting XI: Dominik Livaković  Emir Dilaver, Kévin Théophile-Catherine, Amir Rrahmani, Petar Stojanović  Nikola Moro  Dani Olmo, Amer Gojak, Damian Kadzior, Mislav Oršić – Bruno Petković

Bench: Marko Lešković, Dino Perić, Daniel Zagorac, Lovro Majer, Believe Atiemwen.

Coach: Nenad Bjelica

Benfica (4-4-2)

Starting XI: Odisseas Vlachodimos  Ferro, Rúben Dias, Yuri Ribeiro, André Almeida  Gabriel, Ljubomir Fejsa, Andrija Živković, Pizzi  Rafa, João Filipe

Bench: Andreas Samaris, Franco Cervi, Mile Svilar, Gedson Fernandes.

Coach: Bruno Lage

Dinamo Zagreb setup

Nenad Bjelica decided not to tamper too much with the team that got him a huge win at the Maksimir stadium in the first leg a week ago. Still, Dinamo Zagreb arrived in Portugal as an injury and suspension-ridden team with some notable absences, which ended up playing a big role in the final result.

The most notable absences were the ones of team captain Arijan Ademi, who is still injured, and Ivan Šunjić, who is still sidelined due to yellow card accumulation. Dinamo also played without Izet Hajrović (injury) and Marin Leovac (yellow card accumulation).

In place of Ademi and Šunjić i