Genk vs Dinamo Zagreb Preview: An Uphill Battle for Plavi at Cegeka Arena

Thu, 26 Feb 2026, 12:13 WIB | By Thalatie Kaprina Yani | Source: MEDIA_INDONESIA | Sports

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Belgian giants Genk’s path to the Europa League 2025/2026 round of 16 seems increasingly clear. Ahead of the second leg of the play-off round against Dinamo Zagreb at Cegeka Arena on Friday (27/2) early morning WIB, Blauw-Wit carries a 3-1 victory from the first meeting.

The victory in Zagreb last week proved the maturity of Nicky Hayen’s tactics. Despite being under pressure, Genk was able to maximize opportunities through a brace from Zakaria El Ouahdi and a goal from Bryan Heynen. Now, playing in front of their own supporters, Genk is expected to play more pragmatically to secure the aggregate.

Meanwhile, Dinamo Zagreb is in a tight spot. Losing Dion Drena Beljo due to accumulated yellow cards is a major blow to their attack. Without Beljo and the injured Ismael Bennacer, coach Mario Kovacevic has to rack his brains to break down the home team’s defense led by Matte Smets.

Genk has an advantage in the speed of transition. Junya Ito remains their main threat from the wing. The speed of the Japanese player will be crucial when Dinamo Zagreb starts attacking and leaves gaps in the back line.

Meanwhile, Dinamo Zagreb will likely rely on Monsef Bakrar to lead the attack. The main problem for Plavi this season is the weakness of the back line when playing away in Europe, where they have not recorded a clean sheet in the last 11 matches in UEFA competitions.

Genk (4-3-3): Lawal; El Ouahdi, Sadick, Smets, Kayembe; Heymans, Heynen, Steuckers; Ito, Bibout, Medina.

Dinamo Zagreb (4-3-3): Livakovic; Valincic, McKenna, Dominguez, Perez Vinlof; Stojkovic, Misic, Zajc; Topic, Bakrar, Hoxha.

Editorial Note: Genk is favored to advance with a probability of winning reaching 60% in this home match, while Dinamo Zagreb needs a miracle to turn things around on Belgian soil.

DISCLAIMER

This article is processed and compiled by artificial intelligence (AI) and has gone through an editing and fact-checking process by the editorial team.

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