FC Thun vs Dinamo Zagreb: A Swiss Fairytale Meets Croatian Power in Europe
Thun host Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday in the first leg of their Champions League second qualifying round tie, and this is the standout fixture of the round. Three years ago Thun were playing in the Swiss second tier. Backed by Chinese multi-club owner Chien Lee and board member Beat Fahrni, the club won promotion in 2024-25, then stunned the Swiss Super League by winning the title outright last season under Gian-Luca Privitelli, finishing five points clear of St Gallen, according to Sports Mole.
Dinamo arrive with the better squad and far more European pedigree. They reclaimed the Croatian title last season by 18 points over Hajduk Split, scoring 93 goals while conceding just 23, the meanest defensive record in the league, per Football Whispers. They're also unbeaten in 22 matches across all competitions heading into this tie, Sports Mole reports.
Thun shouldn't be dismissed, though. Their title-winning campaign produced 80 goals, proof they attack with conviction at home, but they also shipped 52, and that defensive fragility is exactly what a Dinamo side full of continental know-how will look to exploit. Add a new head coach and several departures since the title was won, and Thun go into this undercooked in ways Dinamo simply aren't.
Dinamo should control the ball and create the better chances over two legs, but a raw, emotional home crowd and Thun's attacking instincts make the first leg far from a foregone conclusion. If Thun find a way to score first, the pressure lands squarely on a Dinamo side that has never faced a story quite like this one.
