Dinamo Zagreb vs Real Madrid: Emphatic start for Mourinho’s men
Published:After a full season of becoming accustomed to all of the demands of being Real Madrid manager, the pressure may have increased a notch on Jose Mourinho this season.
With Mourinho winning his test of wills with president Florentino Perez, discussions that caused the sacking of general manager Jorge Valdano, life currently seems quite pleasant for ‘The Special One’ at the Bernabeu.
Back-to-back La Liga victories and early dropped points for Barcelona would have widened his smile a little further, but it is victory in the Champions League that may appeal most to Real Madrid fans.
After six successive defeats at the last-16 stage, Real Madrid reached the semi finals last season before losing to their fierce Spanish rivals and the duo lead the Champions League betting again.
Real Madrid begin their Group D campaign with a potentially tricky trip to Croatia to face Dinamo Zagreb, which is a fixture they are still heavily favoured to win.
It is 2/7 in the Champions League odds that Real Madrid beat Dinamo Zagreb, which would represent their fifth victory in succession in their opening group game of a season.
Zagreb have managed to draw their opening game 0-0 in their only two other Champions League group stage appearance and although they have their work cut out keeping the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo quiet, it is not beyond the realms of possibility at 10/1.
The other Group D encounter pits Ajax against Lyon and the outcome could have a major say who on qualifies to the knockout stages with Real Madrid.
For Ajax it is second straight season they face French opposition in the group stages and both of their clashes with Auxerre last year ended in home victories.
Ajax are 7/5 to win at home this season, with Lyon 15/8 and the draw priced at 23/10.
