Sparta head coach Brian Priske put Olatunji, Wiesner or Sørensen to the starting line-up. On the other side, the home team was already missing goalkeeper Dominik Livaković or centre-back Josip Šutalo, which changed their jerseys in the last few days. In the Dinamo goal, Nevistić, who already played against Sparta during the summer pre-season.
In the 38th minute, Krejčí hit the hand of one of the defenders. The situation was detected by VAR and the referee ordered a penalty kick. Krejci took the ball himself, showed strong nerves, hit the top left corner and sent Sparta into the lead.
Unfortunately, Sparta didn't keep the lead until half-time. The home side made a quick break from the halfway line a minute before the break, Špikić sent a ball to the net near the left post. So, 1-1 at the half-time.
In the 58th minute, Špikić ran behind the defence and wanted to threaten Vindhal, but Panák hit the ball and it was just a corner. But Dinamo struck from that corner. Vindahl did what he could, twice saved the ball out of the goal. But for the third time Perić scored and Dinamo took the lead.
And it got worse. Two minutes after the goal, Ivanušec exchanged the ball with Ljubičić in the Sparta box and sent the ball into our goal for the third time.
Sparta lost 1-3 in Zagreb.
GNK Dinamo Záhřeb – AC Sparta Praha 3-1 (1-1)
Goals: 44. Špikić, 59. Perić, 61. Ivanušec – 38. Krejčí (pen.). YC: Baturina – Laci. Referees: Guida – Bindoni, Tegoni – Colombo – VAR: Mariani, Fourneau (All Italy).
Dinamo: Nevistić – Moharrami, Ristovski, Perić (86. B. Šutalo), Ljubičić – Mišić, Bulat (76. Sušić) – Špikić (65. Emreli), Baturina (65. Stojković), Ivanušec (86. Mychajličenko) – Petković.
Sparta: Vindahl – Sørensen, Panák, Krejčí – Wiesner, Sadílek (68. Laci), Kairinen, Zelený (82. Ryneš) – Birmančević (68. Pešek), Olatunji (63. Kuchta), Haraslín (63. Minčev).
