UEL : Dinamo Zagreb coach quizzed on possibility of ex-Nigeria winger starting against Villarreal

Published: April 14, 2021

Dinamo Zagreb coach Damir Krznar has been quizzed on the possibility of retaining Iyayi Atiemwen in the starting lineup for Thursday's Europa League quarterfinal clash at the Estadio de la Cerámica.

The former Nigeria U23 international made a rare start for the Croatian champions in the first leg loss to the Yellow Submarine last Thursday - his first start in European competition this season from a possible thirteen.

Atiemwen was deemed surplus to requirements at Dinamo before the start of the 2020-2021 campaign but managed to force himself into the squad as the season progressed.

The winger has since weighed in with seven goals from 23 appearances in all competitions, including his strike in the derby against Lokomotiva last weekend.

Asked if Atiemwen will be in the starting XI as in the first game, Krznar said at the pre-match press conference : "We have some more ideas and options, maybe with two attackers, maybe Orsic.

"We had an option with Tolić, we tried in Kranjčevićeva, there were good things, but also less good ones , so that option is now in the background. We will not even drastically change the system."

Villarreal won the first leg 1-0 thanks to a second-half penalty from the in-form striker Gerard Moreno.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : instagram.com/atiemwen1

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