Dinamo Zagreb only have 14 fit players for their Champions League clash with Celtic, but Nenad Bjelica still believes they can take the Scottish champions.
Brendan Rodgers side head to the croat capital knowing a win would almost guarantee them a spot in the playoff round, with two fixtures still to come and Dinamo not far behind them in the new-look Champions league table. Dinamo’s preparation couldn’t have gone much worse, now on a run of five games without a win following a 1-1 home draw wit Slaven Belupo on Friday.
And the squad has been ravaged by injury, with eight of their stars either ruled out or doubtful to face the Hoops in midweek. Spanish defender Raul Torrente is their freshes injury concern as under-pressure boss Bjelica saw his players booed off at the Maksimir. However, he is refusing to whip out the book of excuses and is in bullish mood ahead of face Celtic.
He said: “We play Celtic this week and we are down to 14 fit players for it. Those players we have will go out and give everything against them.
“We will not whine, we will not complain. The Champions League is exhausting, anyone who has played it knows that. A lot of players are playing it for the first time.
“When we played against Slovan Bratislava, we had eight players who had not played in the Champions League before. For them, it is something new. Injuries happen. Despite everything, I believe we can beat Celtic and I believe we can still win the league title.
“I understand the booing from the supporters. They must be disappointed, but I cannot fault my players because they gave everything.
“I spoke to the team and I told them I was satisfied. We had 28 shots on goal and absolutely deserved to win by a few goals. We just didn’t take our chances.”