The only way is up for Dinamo Zagreb as they take on Monaco in their second league phase game of the 2024/25 Champions League campaign.

Dinamo were on the receiving end of a mauling two weeks ago as they were battered 9-2 by Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena. The visitors remarkably reduced the deficit to 3-2 at the start of the second half before the hosts started trying again and ran up the score towards the end of the bout.

Their dire opening matchday performance means they sit rock bottom of the league phase at this early stage.

Monaco, on the contrary, enjoyed themselves against Barcelona to kick-off their campaign. Adi Hutter’s side were aided greatly by Eric Garcia’s first-half dismissal, with George Ilenikhena ensuring the French outfit started with a victory after Lamine Yamal had drawn the visitors level.

The Ligue 1 side celebrated their 100th anniversary with a dramatic victory over Montpellier at the weekend which ensured they ended the weekend level on points with Paris Saint-Germain at the top of the table.

Here is 90min’s guide to Monaco’s clash with Dinamo Zagreb.

Location: Zagreb, Croatia
Stadium: Stadion Maksimir
Date: Wednesday 2 October
Kick-off Time: 20:00 BST / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT
Referee: Harm Osmers (GER)
VAR: Christian Dingert (GER)

Dinamo Zagreb vs Monaco H2H Record

This is the first competitive meeting between Dinamo Zagreb and Monaco.

Current form (all competitions)

The hosts are limited in defence with Dino Peric currently out of action with a knock and Mauro Perkovic nursing a knee injury. Raul Torrente scored twice late on in Dinamo’s thumping domestic win at the weekend and is a sure bet to retain his place in the hosts’ back four.

Martin Baturina was included in Croatia’s Euro 2024 squad and is the man to watch out for on Wednesday in what could be a tasty midfield battle. Veteran forward Bruno Petkovic will lead the line once more.

Dinamo Zagreb predicted lineup vs Monaco (4-5-1): Nevistic; Ristovski, Bernauer, Torrente, Pierre-Gabriel; Misic, Ademi, Cordoba, Baturina, Hoxha; Petkovic.

Edan Diop and Radoslaw Majecki are dealing with foot and ankle injuries respectively, so they’ll be absent on Wednesday. The pair could return to action after the international break.

Lamine Camara was Monaco’s stoppage-time hero at the weekend as he struck late on to defeat Montpellier, and the midfielder could work his way back into Hutter’s XI for this one.

Folarin Balogun, Aleksandr Golovin, Denis Zakaria and Breel Embolo are familiar names poised to start for the visitors.

Monaco predicted lineup vs Dinamo Zagreb (4-2-2-2): Kohn; Vanderson, Singo, Salisu, Henrique; Camara, Zakaria; Golovin, Akilouche; Balogun, Embolo.

It’s not going to get any worse for Dinamo, who’ll be keen to rid themselves of the horrors of Bavaria with a strong performance here.

However, their domestic form points to a team that’s struggling to build any momentum at the start of the new season – even if they did win handsomely at the weekend.

The hosts are going to make a good fist of it at home, but Monaco have started the season superbly and are seemingly only improving under Hutter. This is a young team with plenty still to learn, but a mature performance will seem them over the line in Zagreb.

Prediction: Dinamo Zagreb 1-2 Monaco

READ THE LATEST CHAMPIONS LEAGUE NEWS, PREVIEWS & RATINGS HERE