Europa League Preview: Dinamo Zagreb Hosts FCSB in Knockout Round Clash

ZAGREB, Croatia (Interstat) — A pivotal Europa League knockout round match pits the domestic dominance of Croatia’s GNK Dinamo Zagreb against the unpredictable firepower of Romania’s FCSB on Thursday.

The stage is set at Stadion Maksimir, where the hosts will look to leverage their home pitch advantage to establish a first-leg lead in the two-game series. Dinamo Zagreb, a consistent force in the Croatian First Football League, seeks to translate domestic success onto the European stage after a challenging group phase.

Their continental form has been inconsistent. A 3-1 home defeat to Real Betis on Dec. 11 concluded their group campaign, which included heavy away losses to Lille (4-0) and AD Ceuta FC (3-0). A bright spot was a 3-1 away victory at Fenerbahçe in September, demonstrating their capability against seasoned opponents.

FCSB, however, arrives as one of the competition’s most enigmatic sides. Their group stage was a rollercoaster, capped by a stunning 4-3 victory over Dutch powerhouse Feyenoord on Dec. 11. That result showcased a potent attack but also a vulnerable defense, a theme reflected in their other group matches with losses to Basel, Young Boys, and FK Crvena zvezda.

Their domestic form offers little clarity, having suffered a 3-0 defeat to UTA Arad on Dec. 3 just days before the Feyenoord triumph. This Jekyll-and-Hyde nature makes them a dangerous, unpredictable opponent.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, FCSB’s offensive flair is projected to prevail on the road, with a predicted final score of 3-1 in favor of the Romanian side. That forecast will challenge Dinamo’s resolve to secure a solid home result before the return leg.

The winner of this tie advances to the round of 16, moving closer to a coveted spot in the competition’s final in Budapest. For Dinamo, the mission is to find European consistency. For FCSB, it is to channel their best form and steal a crucial away result.

Kickoff is set for 9 p.m. local time (2000 GMT) on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026.