Thun vs Dinamo Zagreb: Prediction, Team News & Lineups

Thun vs Dinamo Zagreb prediction: The Swiss champions can make the first leg competitive at home, but Dinamo’s superior European experience, attacking depth and sharper pre-season form give the Croatian side a narrow advantage.

Match Details

Match Preview

Swiss champions Thun begin their UEFA Champions League campaign against Croatian title holders Dinamo Zagreb at Stockhorn Arena. The first leg presents one of the most intriguing ties of the second qualifying round, pairing a remarkable domestic underdog with a club accustomed to competing in UEFA’s major tournaments.

Thun’s rise has been extraordinary. After returning to the Swiss Super League in 2025, they immediately exceeded every expectation by winning their first top-flight championship. Their title was built on aggressive football, collective organisation and the confidence created by a long winning sequence during the middle of the campaign.

The final weeks were less convincing. Thun failed to win any of their last five league matches, reducing what had once been a commanding advantage. Their summer has also involved a major transition, with title-winning coach Mauro Lustrinelli leaving for Union Berlin and Gian-Luca Privitelli taking charge.

Important players have departed as well, forcing the new coach to rebuild while preparing for one of the most demanding fixtures in the club’s history. Thun’s pre-season results have been mixed, and a 2-1 defeat by Waldhof Mannheim in their latest outing underlined the need for greater defensive stability.

Dinamo Zagreb arrive with significantly more European experience. Mario Kovacevic’s side reclaimed the Croatian championship in dominant fashion last season and scored freely throughout the campaign, with Dion Drena Beljo leading the attack.

The Croatian champions have also looked sharp in preparation. Victories over Radomlje, Brinje Grosuplje and Koper produced 16 goals, while the likely starting unit has already received substantial playing time together.

Dinamo will be favourites to progress across two legs, but the first match requires discipline. Thun’s home crowd and direct attacking approach can create difficult periods, particularly if the visitors become impatient or allow the game to become stretched.

Thun Team Analysis

Privitelli is expected to use an attacking 4-3-3 structure. Nils Reichmuth, Justin Roth and Mattias Kait can provide energy and technical control in midfield, while Brighton Labeau offers physical presence and penalty-area movement.

Furkan Dursun can operate centrally or drift into the channels, allowing Nico Maier to attack from the opposite side. Thun must move the ball quickly enough to prevent Dinamo’s midfield from setting its defensive shape.

The hosts’ defensive organisation is the greater concern. Marco Burki is available despite carrying a domestic suspension, and his experience could be important alongside Jan Bamert. Thun cannot afford to leave large spaces between midfield and defence against Dinamo’s mobile attacking line.

Set pieces may provide Thun with their best route to goal. The Swiss champions possess several strong aerial players and should attempt to test Dinamo goalkeeper Ivan Filipovic from corners and wide free kicks.

Dinamo Zagreb Team Analysis

Dinamo’s attack is built around Beljo, who followed an outstanding league campaign by scoring during pre-season. His movement, hold-up play and finishing make him the central threat in Kovacevic’s 4-2-3-1.

Gabriel Vidovic can operate behind the striker, while Mounsef Bakrar and Mislav Orsic provide pace and directness from wide areas. Orsic’s return has restored another proven source of goals and set-piece quality.

Josip Misic and Miha Zajc should control central midfield. Their ability to circulate possession and find the attacking line between Thun’s midfielders will determine whether Dinamo can dominate territory without becoming vulnerable to counters.

The back four have played together regularly during preparation. Moris Valincic and Bruno Goda offer attacking support from full-back, while Juan Cordoba Dominguez and Niko Galesic provide strength and anticipation in central defence.

Head-to-Head

This will be the first competitive meeting between Thun and Dinamo Zagreb. Thun are returning to Champions League qualifying for the first time since their memorable European run in 2005, while Dinamo have become regular participants across UEFA competitions.

Tactical Battle

Thun must decide how aggressively to press. A high press could disrupt Dinamo’s build-up and energise the home crowd, but it would also create space behind the first line for Vidovic, Orsic and Bakrar.

Dinamo are likely to target the areas outside Thun’s centre-backs. Beljo can occupy the central defenders while the wide players move inside, allowing Valincic and Goda to overlap.

The hosts may attempt to attack Dinamo’s full-backs immediately after turnovers. Dursun and Maier have the speed to exploit those spaces, but Thun need accurate first passes from Reichmuth and Kait.

Game management will be critical. The Swiss champions should avoid turning the first leg into an open contest, while Dinamo can accept a controlled match knowing that the return fixture will be played in Zagreb.

Team News

• Thun are adapting after the summer departures of Franz-Ethan Meichtry, Elmin Rastoder and Mathias Tomas.
• Genis Montello remains sidelined through injury.
• Marco Burki is available because his domestic suspension does not apply in UEFA competition.
• Brighton Labeau, Furkan Dursun and Nico Maier are expected to form Thun’s attacking line.
• Dinamo have undergone squad changes following the departures of Sandro Kulenovic, Marko Soldo and Gonzalo Villar.
• Dion Drena Beljo is expected to lead the line after scoring 31 league goals last season.
• Mislav Orsic, Miha Zajc and Gabriel Vidovic are all in contention to start behind Beljo.
• Dinamo’s likely first-choice XI featured together during the friendly victories over Radomlje, Brinje Grosuplje and Koper.

Predicted Lineups

Thun: Steffen; Heule, Burki, Bamert, Fehr; Reichmuth, Roth, Kait; Labeau, Dursun, Maier.

Dinamo Zagreb: Filipovic; Valincic, Dominguez, Galesic, Goda; Misic, Zajc; Bakrar, Vidovic, Orsic; Beljo.

Betting Tips

• Full-time result: Dinamo Zagreb win.
• Both teams to score: Yes.
• Total goals: Over 2.5 goals.
• Double chance: Dinamo Zagreb or draw.
• Anytime goalscorer: Dion Drena Beljo.
• Correct score: Thun 1-2 Dinamo Zagreb.

Score Prediction

Goal.mu predicts: Thun 1-2 Dinamo Zagreb.

Thun’s home advantage and emotional momentum should make the contest more difficult than the difference in European experience suggests. However, the Swiss champions are adjusting to a new coach and important departures, while their late-season and pre-season form has been uneven.

Dinamo possess more established match-winners, a settled attacking structure and greater depth from the bench. Beljo, Vidovic and Orsic should create enough chances for the visitors to take a narrow lead back to Zagreb.

Hot Stat

Dinamo scored 16 goals across their first three completed pre-season friendlies, while Thun enter their first Champions League tie since 2005.

Final Analysis

Thun’s story makes them dangerous opponents, particularly in front of their own supporters. They must remain compact, use set pieces effectively and prevent Dinamo from controlling the match through Misic and Zajc.

Dinamo should not expect an easy night, but their experience and greater attacking quality make them the stronger selection. A one-goal away victory would leave the Croatian champions in a favourable position before the second leg at Maksimir.