Sopić’s Unique Sentence
Željko Sopić, coach of Kauno Žalgiris, stated on Thursday at the Tüpraş Stadium in Istanbul that Dinamo is “cleaner” than Beşiktaş. This statement came from a press conference before the first Europa League play‑off match of 2026. Sopić emphasized that his team will be better than Dinamo in the game against Beşiktaş, even though Dinamo won 5:0 in Zagreb and 2:1 in Kaunas.
Quality and Rhythm
Sopić highlighted that quality lies on Beşiktaş’s side, mentioning signings such as Leandro Trossard, Dušan Vlahović, Alexander Nübel, and Kassoum Ouattara. He said, “It may even be pointless to talk about Beşiktaş’s quality. They have a very quality team and strong players.” Meanwhile, Kauno Žalgiris must correct mistakes made against Dinamo and try to impose its own game.
Atmosphere in Istanbul
Sopić spoke about the atmosphere in Istanbul, comparing it to that in Zagreb. “Quality is on Beşiktaş’s side, but when the referee signals the start of the match, it’s 50:50,” he said. He noted that the atmosphere at Tüpraş could be a potential advantage but also pressure for the home side. Sopić also stated that his team will score a goal because “that’s football. Everyone has a chance.”
Comparison with Chicago Bulls
After the return match with Dinamo, Sopić compared Beşiktaş to the Chicago Bulls, saying that for them, Beşiktaş is “like the Chicago Bulls.” This comparison referred to the challenge the Turkish club presents to Kauno Žalgiris.
Dinamo vs. Beşiktaş
Dinamo won 5:0 in the previous Europa League round in Zagreb and 2:1 in Kaunas. Beşiktaş twice defeated Hradec Kralove 1:0 in the previous round, and opened the new season of the Turkish league with a 1:0 win over Eyüpspor. Sopić highlighted that Dinamo could never bring a player like Leandro Trossard from Arsenal, further emphasizing the quality gap.
Next Step
After the first encounter in Istanbul, Kauno Žalgiris will host Beşiktaş on August 27 in Lithuania. The winner of the two‑leg tie will qualify for the Europa League group stage.
