Dinamo Zagreb beats Manchester City to reach Youth Champions League last 16 play-off

by croatiaweek
December 11, 2019
in Sport

ZAGREB, 11 December 2019 – Dinamo Zagreb U-19s have advanced through to the playoffs for the last 16 in the UEFA Youth League after beating Manchester City in Zagreb this afternoon.

Dinamo Zagreb’s 1-0 win at Stadion Hitrec-Kacian in Zagreb on Wednesday means they finish their group as runners-up and now enter the play-offs for a round of 16 slot.

The group was won by Italian club Atalanta, who finished two points ahead of Dinamo. Manchester City finish third and Shakhtar Donetsk fourth.

Talented Croatian youth International Antonio Marin opened the scoring in the 20th minute with a wonderful free-kick from 18-yards out which left the City keeper with no chance.

Dinamo Zagreb will find out their play-off opponent when the draw is made on 16 December. Teams confirmed in the draw so far include Atlético Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, LOSC Lille, Lyon, Salzburg, Derby County, Dynamo Kyiv, Midtjylland, Porto, Rangers, Real Zaragoza, Rennes and Sheriff Tiraspol.

The UEFA Youth League is contested by the youth (under-19) teams of the clubs competing in the UEFA Champions League group stage, plus the domestic youth champions of the best-ranked national associations.

Dinamo Zagreb will be hoping to improve on last season’s performance when they reached the quarterfinals. They would bow out to Chelsea on penalties.

Dates

Play-off draw: 16 December
Play-offs: 11/12 February
Knockout draw (round of 16 onwards): 14 February
Round of 16: 3/4 March
Quarter-finals: 17/18 March
Semi-final: 17 April, Nyon
Final: 20 April, Nyon