Dinamo Zagreb beats Bayern Munich to reach Youth Champions League quarterfinal

by croatiaweek
March 4, 2020
in Sport

(Photo: HNS)

MUNICH, 4 March 2020 – Dinamo Zagreb U19s have advanced through to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Youth League after knocking out Bayern Munich on Wednesday after a dramatic penalty shootout.

Dinamo got off to the perfect start at the FC Bayern Campus in Munich when after just 66 seconds Tomislav Krizmanic found the back of the net with his left foot after good work from Edin Julardžija and Bernard Karrica.

Leon Šipoš almost doubled the lead for Croatians in the 13th minute but his effort would be saved by the Bayern keeper. The visitors would eventually double the lead in the 29th minute when Karrica tapped in after Sipoš squared back a cross from Roko Jurišić.

Bayern, who had only conceded two goals in six matches in the competition to date, managed to reduce the deficit before halftime when Leon Dajaku scored in the 36th minute.

Three minutes after the break, Dinamo should have regained their two-goal advantage when the ball fell to Šipoš just three metres with the goal begging. The Germans escaped when the Dinamo striker fired his shot over the bar.

Leon Šipoš (Photo: HNS)

Dinamo Zagreb had three chances in a matter of seconds with 11 minutes remaining to kill off the game but somehow they could not find the back of the net.

Bayern would capitalise and with minutes remaining they would equalise when Dinamo defender Joško Gvardiol found the back of his own net.

With the scores locked at 2-2 at the end of normal time, the match was decided on penalties. Dinamo keeper Renato Josipović was the hero once again, saving Bayern’s 8th penalty before Hrvoj scored to make it 6-5.

Dinamo Zagreb will now meet Benfica on either 17 or 18 March 2020 for a place in the semi-finals. The semi-finals will be played on 17 April 2020 at Colovray Stadium, Nyon and the final will take place at the same stadium on 20 April 2020.

Last season, Dinamo Zagreb also reached the quarterfinals where they eventually knocked-out by Chelsea on penalties.