On Monday evening, the streets of his hometown were not unfamiliar to him, nor did he need to look for the silhouette of Maksimir on the map, but this time the stadium gates opened for him not as “Dinamo,” but as the coach of the visiting team.
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A man who raised youth in the “Dinamo” system, briefly sat on the main team’s bench, but never got the chance to prove that he could be more than a temporary name in making the most important decisions at this club.
Now he has returned home with “Kauno Žalgiris” – a team that Zagreb barely knows, is not afraid of, and to which the local football community has already assigned a modest role.
In this scenario, the Lithuanian champions are expected to politely show up, not interfere too much, and after two matches give way to the club that sees itself in the main tournament of the Champions League.
But Ž. Sopičius never seemed like a man who would like pre-written scenarios.
On Monday evening, the Croatian answered journalists’ questions in the Maksimir press conference room before the only training session of his pupils.
“This is a very important day for all of us, especially for me. I am returning to my city, to my club, and also to play UEFA Champions League matches. This day is not easy for me and my family, but I think we are ready for it. We will give our all to achieve a good result and keep real chances to advance before the return match,” said Ž. Sopičius at the press conference.
Sarcasm, a gloomy look, and suspicions that many questions are asked only because silence on air costs more have long become part of his public face.
Ž. Sopičius can speak sharply, can deflect an answer, can show in one sentence what he thinks about the whole question’s construction. But beneath this rough surface always lies one clear message: his team has no right to be afraid.
“I have nothing to prove to anyone. Simply, in a footballer’s and coach’s career, various stages come. I am still working with the Kaunas team and I believe that through our work, dedication, and knowledge, we have earned the right to be here.
From the outside, it may seem like a great success, but believe me – considering our infrastructure, conditions, and everything we have, this is truly an incredible achievement.
We have come a long way together – from a lower level to a club that today can compete in such a high-level tournament,” shared Z. Sopičius in his hometown.
In Zagreb, Ž. Sopičius knows not only the streets but also the football hierarchy. He knows the weight of the “Dinamo” name, how quickly Maksimir senses the opponent’s weakness, and how easily an entire evening spent chasing the hosts’ backs can be born from the first inaccurate pass.
He also knows that respect in Zagreb is not handed out at the airport along with luggage. It will have to be earned on the pitch.
Still, when asked if the hosts would feel more pressure, the coach smiled.
“You know, during a career you have to play many such matches. I don’t think they feel more pressure than we do. If you are an athlete, you want to achieve victories and be successful, you try to win every match. It doesn’t matter if you are considered an underdog or represent a club at the top. You always have to believe in what you do, believe in your work, and give your all. No matter which team you play against.
What does that mean? If today you played against the best team in the world, you might lose nine times out of ten. But you still have to believe that the one time can be yours,” said the “Kauno Žalgiris” coach.
The strategist assured that both he and his men are ready for the most important exam of the year.
“We have reviewed all recent Zagreb “Dinamo” matches and analyzed their play over the past months, as well as their players. We will see how prepared we are for tomorrow’s match.
We will also see how our footballers adapt to 10–20 thousand spectators in the stands. We are not used to playing in front of such a large number of fans because usually far fewer people gather in our stadium. There is a difference between playing in front of five thousand or twenty thousand spectators.
In such matches, the pressure is, of course, greater. But, frankly, I enjoy it,” said Ž. Sopičius.
“I watched “Dinamo” matches against “Thun.” The matches were tense, but the “blues” held on. There is not much to say. “Dinamo” is one level above us. Yes, I saw where maybe we ourselves could have a chance.”
It is clear that for him, Monday evening’s press conference was more than a usual UEFA ritual. Ž. Sopičius returned to a place where he once wanted to be the host, but now had to sit before microphones as a guest.
Behind a few walls awaited the locker room, a little later – the only training in Maksimir, and after a day – a match with a club where his name remained only a small footnote.
“That’s how life sometimes happens. This has always been and will be my club, but now it remains aside. Now my work is on the other side of the barricades, and tomorrow I will strive to win. That’s all from me – everything,” said the strategist. “We fully understand the importance of this match. We know how big its weight is and what it means to the club. We also know that many traveling fans will support us.
We have come a long way to reach this stage. Many people sacrificed their time for these matches, organized trips, and came to support us.
Therefore, I can sincerely say that we will give our all on the pitch. We will do everything we can at that moment, and then we will see how everything unfolds further.”
Football loves such returns. Especially when home does not welcome you with open arms.
Ž. Sopičius came to Zagreb not to collect nostalgia. He came to remind about himself. And first of all, he had to explain why the city, which had almost recorded two “Dinamo” wins, should not feel too comfortable on Tuesday evening.
When asked if the scorching 35-38 degree heat these days would be a problem, Ž. Sopičius smiled.
“You say it’s hot, huh? I have no and will have no such excuses. This is the Champions League,” said the Croatian combatively.
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