(Dinamo Zagreb – Ludogorets 4–2, 6–3) Rosenborg’s boss from 2019 is against Bodø/Glimt in the Champions League playoffs.

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– It’s very difficult to meet them, said Aalesund’s Dario Canadija, the only Croatian player from Eliteserien.

Dinamo Zagreb beat Ludogorets Bulgaria 6–3 (4–2 at home and 2-1 at home). Dinamo Zagreb thus became Bodø/Glimt’s final barrier from the Champions League clash. That will be decided via matches at Aspmyra next Tuesday and at the Maksimir Stadium on August 24.

Club legend Runar Berg believes in the group stage in the Champions League.

– More than two games, Glimt are very good now, they have chances against all possible opponents. He (Erling) Haaland is probably the only one who can cause a bit of trouble, Berg joked to VG.

A tough away game awaits in Croatia in two weeks for the Bodøværings, but Berg still believes it is a manageable task for Kjetil Knutsen’s crew.

– In recent years, they have gained a lot of valuable experience. I think they are well equipped to meet anyone, said Berg, referring to that Glimt 4-0 loss to Roma the beginning of this year was an important experience.

– The match at Aspmyra I think will be the game of all time, Bodø/Glimt coach Kjetil Knutsen told TV 2 after Glimpse 6-1 aggregate win over Zalgiris.

Dario Canadija believes this will be a balanced duel.

– Dinamo Zagreb are a team with good individualists, but they also have weaknesses. At the moment they may not look like a team, but there is a bit more going on with individual performances. But they are a good team. It will be a tough match against Bodø/Glimt.

Canadjija was watching the second leg between Dinamo Zagreb and Ludogorets when VG contacted him. He thought the Croats looked “very good.”

– How hard is it for Bodo/Glimt?

– It will be difficult for Dynamo to reach Bod and artificial turf. I would say that Bodø/Glimt has a special atmosphere at Aspmyra, and they are very good at home. “Glimt is the favorite at home, but in Zagreb I think Dinamo is a much bigger favourite,” Canadjija said and continued:

– Dinamo has better individual players, but that will also be a challenge for Dinamo; All players have to play defensively. It will be a challenge for their attacking line that they have to work at home – they are not very used to that in the domestic league.

Croatia beat Rosenborg 3-1 on aggregate in the playoffs in 2019 and thus played in the Champions League group stage. In Croatia, they hold the record number of league and cup championships with 23 and 16 titles respectively.

The team finished second in last season’s Europa League group stage behind West Ham – before losing 2-3 to Sevilla in the first knockout stage. In the 2020/21 season, Dinamo Zagreb reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League, where they lost 1-3 on aggregate to Villarreal.

When Croatia beat France 1-0 in the Nations League earlier this summer, Dinamo Zagreb had four players in the Croatia squad: Josip Sutalo, Dominik Livakovic, Luka Ivanusec and Mislav Orsic.