GNK Dinamo Zagreb will compete in the UEFA Europa League for the 2025/26 season against challenging and experienced clubs from various European football leagues. As the Croatian champion who secured direct qualification to the league phase, Dinamo will face a range of top opponents known for their quality and tradition in their countries and across Europe.
Real Betis is a club led by the experienced coach Manuel Pellegrini, who last season finished sixth in La Liga with 60 points. Betis has been a regular participant in European competitions for four consecutive years and reached the Conference League final last season, where they lost to Chelsea (1-4). The team’s playmaker is Giovani Lo Celso, but currently, they have significant absences, including captain Isco and Abdel Ezzalzouli.
Lille is a four-time French champion that finished fourth in Ligue 1 last season and reached the Champions League round of 16. They are well-established on the European scene, with their key player in the previous season being Jonathan David, who has now transferred to Juventus.
Fenerbahçe is a giant in Turkish football, boasting a rich history and currently second in the domestic league. The club recently dismissed coach Jose Mourinho following elimination in the Champions League playoffs. Croatian goalkeeper Dominik Livaković is part of the squad. Fenerbahçe boasts strong fan support and European experience, including reaching the Europa League semifinals in 2013.
In addition to the main competitors, Dinamo will also face Maccabi Tel Aviv, FCSB, Midtjylland, Celta Vigo, and Malmö.
Maccabi Tel Aviv is the current champion of the Israeli Premier League, known for regular European appearances. Due to conflicts in the region, they played their home matches in Bačka Topola, Serbia, last year. FCSB is Romania’s most successful club, having won the domestic title last year with a significant lead. They eliminated Scottish Aberdeen in the Europa League playoffs. Their key player and captain is Darius Olaru.
Midtjylland dominates domestically, having won several championship titles. Last season, they finished second and eliminated Scottish club Hibernian in the qualifications. Their squad includes talented players such as Guinean forward Franculino and Croatian defender Martin Erlić.
Celta Vigo is a stable La Liga member, finishing 7th in the league last season. The club is known for its legendary former player, Zvonimir Boban, and qualified directly for the Europa League group stage.
Malmö is a traditional Swedish champion with 24 titles. Despite suffering a heavy defeat in the Champions League qualifiers, they secured a place in the Europa League. They are currently third in the domestic league.
Dinamo Zagreb will need to demonstrate top form and maximum commitment to compete against such well-profiled and experienced opponents. Quality, tactical discipline, and efficient use of chances will be key factors for success in this challenging competition, offering an opportunity for European recognition and the affirmation of Croatian football on the international stage.
