Sunderland will need to prepare for a stern examination against Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb, who recently featured in the UEFA Europa League league phase. The Zagreb side hosted Dutch outfit NEC Nijmegen at Stadion Maksimir on October 22, 2026, with players such as Iker Almena and Luka Ivanusec involved in the matchday squad.
Dinamo Zagreb have established themselves as a regular presence in European competition, combining domestic dominance with continental experience. Their squad blends seasoned Croatian internationals with emerging talents, offering a tactical flexibility that could trouble English opposition.
For Sunderland, the challenge will be to contain Dinamo's home advantage at Maksimir, where the atmosphere often amplifies the host's intensity. The Croatian side's familiarity with European fixtures at this stage of the season provides them with a rhythm that Sunderland must disrupt.
