Thun pulled off one of the biggest shocks in Swiss football last season when they left both Young Boys and Basel trailing in their wake to claim the league title with plenty to spare. Now the side from the Bernese Oberland are back in the Champions League spotlight for the first time since 2005 and the whole country is buzzing about how far they can go. Still, the summer departure of their mastermind coach has left a huge hole and many are wondering whether lightning can strike twice for the modest club.
Team Form
Dinamo Zagreb have been in ruthless form right through the Croatian season and into their pre-season friendlies. Across eighteen matches in all competitions they have recorded fifteen wins and just three draws while keeping their goal difference firmly in the black. The Croats have not tasted defeat since that February loss to Genk and their confidence is sky high as they prepare for this qualifier.
- Thun: surprise Swiss champions but lost key coach in the off-season
- Dinamo Zagreb: unbeaten in 18 games across all fronts
- Zero losses in summer warm-up matches
Tactical Analysis
Thun will lean on their compact defensive shape and quick transitions but without their former coach the patterns that brought them success last term may not click as smoothly. Dinamo Zagreb on the other hand bring years of Champions League qualifying experience and a more polished attacking structure that has already carried them to the Europa League knockout stages in recent campaigns. The visitors are expected to control the tempo and exploit spaces behind Thun’s high line with their pacey forwards.
Key strengths for Dinamo include their set-piece organisation and midfield dominance while Thun will look to their home crowd and long-ball threat to create chaos. Weaknesses for the Swiss side centre around the uncertainty in their new coaching setup and the lack of European pedigree at this level.
Betting Proposal
Given the gulf in know-how and current momentum the smart money sits with the Croatian giants to take all three points on the road.
Dinamo Zagreb to win away at 2.00 looks the standout types for this tie. The visitors have the quality and the recent results to back it up while Thun face a mountain of a task to repeat their fairy-tale domestic run on the European stage.
