GNK Dinamo Zagreb has submitted a squad of just 23 players for the Europa League, two short of the maximum allowed 25. The club lacks enough homegrown players to meet UEFA regulations, as reported by Index.hr Sport this week.
Head coach Marija Kovačević was forced to shorten the list because Dinamo can fill only six of the eight spots reserved for locally trained players. "Dinamo nema dovoljno 'svojih' igrača. Za to je platio cijenu na popisu za Europu," Kovačević said. UEFA rules require eight places on the A list to be reserved for academy products, with a minimum of four players who spent three seasons at the club between ages 15 and 21.
Why does Dinamo lack enough club-trained players?
On the current A list, only goalkeeper Dominik Kotarski and defender Bruno Goda meet the criteria for 'club-trained' status. Kotarski joined Dinamo's academy at age 11 and spent nearly seven years there before moving to Ajax, satisfying UEFA's requirements. Moris Valinčić, Lukas Kačavenda and Fran Topić also came through Dinamo's youth system but did not spend enough time there to qualify.
Fran Topić, who turned down a transfer opportunity to Sampdoria during the summer window, was not included in Kovačević's Europa League squad. Although he remained at the club, the coach did not select him for European competition. This shortage of homegrown talent forced the club to submit a smaller list.
Who was left out of the European squad?
Besides Topić, Ivan Nevistić, Robert Mudražija, Paul Tabinas, Noah Nsoki and Aleks Stojaković were also omitted from the squad. Mudražija was not included despite strong performances in the domestic league after returning from loan. On the B list, for players born after January 1, 2005, young players who have spent at least two consecutive or three total seasons at the club since turning 15 can be registered.
Interestingly, Sergi Domínguez is listed on the squad, suggesting Dinamo still considers him for the Europa League despite earlier rumors of a potential transfer. The rest of the team includes goalkeeper Zagorac, defender Goda, midfielder Filipović and forward Beljo, among others. You can track the current squad status on our squad page.
How has Dinamo started the HNL season?
This organizational challenge comes as Dinamo tries to keep pace at the top of the HNL table. The club currently sits third with 10 points from four matches, with three wins and one draw. In the league, they have scored 11 goals, conceded three, with a +8 goal difference. They trail league leaders NK Osijek by just two points.
Dinamo's recent form shows a draw followed by three wins in their last four matches. Their next home fixture is against HNK Gorica on September 5, 2026. Gorica currently occupies 10th place in the table. The full schedule of upcoming matches can be found on our fixtures page.
How will this affect Dinamo's European efforts?
A smaller squad means fewer rotation options for Marija Kovačević during the demanding schedule of the Europa League and domestic championship. The club will have to rely on its key players in both competitions. This limitation highlights the importance of continuous development of young players through the club's academy for long-term European competitiveness.
With only 23 players on the list, Dinamo will need to carefully manage fitness and avoid injuries to remain competitive in the HNL, where they currently sit third, and in the Europa League. The complete league table is available on our standings page. The first European match is approaching, and the club hopes to overcome this challenge and achieve good results.
