– It will be an intense atmosphere. Expect thunderous noise from the first to the 90th minute from around 20,000 fans. You almost have to see it for yourself, it’s a Frankenstein of a stadium. That is what Dražen Krušelj, a journalist in Croatian Jutarnji Sport, tells news. Dinamo Zagreb’s home ground, the Maksimir stadium, is considered to be one of the worst witches’ cauldrons in European football when the home fans have decided to really make a living. And on Wednesday evening there is a ticket for the world’s best football tournament for club teams. “Nightmare in a cage” “Despite the low stand capacity, the fans have managed to turn this stadium into a nightmare in a cage no matter which opponent enters the field,” writes the website Sportskeeda, which names Maksimir as one of the Champions League’s most terrifying grounds to play on. Bleacherreport, for its part, has named Dinamo Zagreb’s home arena the 7th toughest stadium in the world, regardless of sport. On Wednesday evening, between 20,000 and 30,000 spectators are expected when Glimt’s fateful match gets underway. On this field, Glimt’s fateful match will be played. Photo: LUDVIG THUNMAN / BILDBYRÅN Knutsen: – No reason to be alarmed Kjetil Knutsen takes the meeting with Maksimir very calmly. He recalls that Glimt has played many tough away games in recent years. – We must play on the experience we have and enjoy the moment when we get the opportunity to play this type of match. There is no reason to be alarmed by the atmosphere, you just have to think that you are extremely privileged to be able to play such matches. That Bodø/Glimt gets to play qualifying for the Champions League with full stands… What is the alternative, back to the corona era? I think we have to deal with that, and we have experience from playing international matches, says Knutsen to news. He adds: – We have played in stadiums that take more than this, that’s how it is to live, that’s how it is to play football, and that’s how it is in Bodø/Glimt. We have to let the players experience. Some of them have experienced, some will experience quite soon. Kjetil Knutsen is not significantly worried before the meeting with Maksimir Stadium. Photo: Marius Guttormsen / news – Bad Blue Boys do not communicate with the media The eastern tribune at Maksimir is closed for safety reasons after a nasty earthquake in Zagreb two years ago, while the southern tribune is reserved for away fans, but still violent life is expected from two packed stands. – Dinamo has had good support from the fans this season compared to some previous years, says Josip Tolić, sports editor for the Croatian newspaper 24sata, to news. Glimt also faces a meeting with one of the most notorious supporter groupings in the world on Wednesday evening. Zagreb’s “Bad Blue Boys” have a reputation as both tough, violent and loud. In connection with the match, news has made an inquiry to Bad Blue Boys and asked for an interview. We received this feedback: – Bad Blue Boys do not communicate with the media at all. Croatian journalist Josip Tolić is excited before Wednesday’s second leg. He claims the Croats do not take Glimt lightly. Photo: Privat – Norwegian fans will not be a challenge Josip Tolić believes the notorious supporter grouping will be screwed in Wednesday’s match. He still does not think there is cause for concern for the Norwegian supporters who make the trip to Maksimir. – Bad Blue Boys are guaranteed to come to the match in large numbers and fill the lower north stand of Maksimir. I don’t know how many Norwegians will come, but I don’t think there will be any problems if they don’t come with any provocations, says Tolić. Nor does Dražen Krušelj, a journalist in Jutarnji Sport, think the Glimt fans have anything to fear in Zagreb on Wednesday. – Since Bodø/Glimt’s supporters do not have a reputation outside of Europe, Norwegian fans will not be a challenge for the Bad Blue Boys. The Norwegian supporters can therefore relax and enjoy themselves while walking around the streets and in the bars here, says Krušelj to news. The Maksimir Stadium in Zagreb has a reputation for being intense and intimidating. Photo: MATIC KLANSEK / GEPA PICTURES – An extra strength for Dinamo Daniela Rogulj, who covers Dinamo Zagreb for Total Croatia News, believes Glimt must prepare for a packed Maksimir who will do everything to lift his own team forward. She believes there is great faith in Croatia that the home team will win the playoff games overall. – Bodø has a minimal advantage after the first game and a packed Maksimir awaits. Many players commented after the first game that it will be a completely different game in Zagreb and that Dinamo will win. It is also interesting to note that an internet survey revealed that over 60 per cent of those who responded believe that Dinamo will beat Bodø at home and secure a Champions League ticket, says Rogulj to news. – What kind of atmosphere will the Norwegians encounter at Maksimir Stadium? – Because the second leg is open, the Bodø fans can expect a full Maksimir Stadium which will be an extra strength for Dinamo and make it difficult for the Norwegian club. There will be a continuous display of fan choreography and a real football spectacle awaits, she believes. Daniela Rogulj is excited before Wednesday’s Glimt match. Photo: Private Josip Tolić says that the Croats are positive and full of optimism before the second leg. He believes the 0-1 loss in Bodø has been received with great calmness. – The Croatian people do not see this minimal loss as tragic. It was a tough match on artificial grass, where Bodø/Glimt have learned to play. After all, Dinamo had several good opportunities in the second half and could have scored a goal or two, so there is reason to be optimistic ahead of the second leg. Dinamo is an experienced European team, the club has been in a similar situation several times, it knows what it is like to play in the group stage in the Champions League and is fully capable of knocking out Bodø/Glimt in front of its own fans, he says. In any case, he can promise one thing: the Croats do not take the task lightly. – Those who didn’t have respect for Glimt before, they do now. Kick-off at Maksimir is 9 p.m. You can watch the match on TV 2 or follow it on the radio on news Sport. Keep up to date with the result online here
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Warns Bodø/Glimt against the “Frankenstein stadium” in Zagreb – news Nordland
