NEC Nijmegen travel to Croatia this week for a Europa League match against Dinamo Zagreb. The League Stage-3 fixture takes place on Thursday 22 October at 18:45 local time at the Stadion Maksimir. This follows their last result, a 2-2 draw with Fortuna Sittard on Sunday 18 October.

That result is part of a run of five competitive matches without a win, consisting of four draws and one defeat. Their recent form over the last five matches is zero wins, four draws and one defeat. The last victory was on 12 September, a 3-0 win over Cambuur. In the current League Stage group, NEC are in fourth place with 2 points, while Dinamo Zagreb are second with 6 points. The winner of this match will receive 3 points, with a draw earning 1 point.

Recent form

In the draw with Fortuna Sittard, goals came from Kevin Kers and Willum Thor Willumsson. In that match, Anthony Descotte opened the scoring for Fortuna in the 18th minute, before Kers equalised in the 28th minute. After the break, Descotte scored again, but Willumsson secured the equaliser in stoppage time. Previously, NEC also drew 1-1 with Ajax and 1-1 with GO Ahead Eagles, but lost 5-0 to Juventus and 3-0 to Cambuur. The squad is currently struggling to find a winning edge, which makes the challenge in Zagreb even greater.

Expected lineup

That starting XI featured goalkeeper G. Crettaz, with T. Storm, A. Kaplan and Deveron Fonville in defence. Kevin Kers, D. Nejašmić, D. Geiger and Jamiro Monteiro formed the midfield, while N. Lebreton, Clement Bischoff and B. Linssen operated in attacking roles. Dinamo Zagreb, who beat Anderlecht 1-0 last Thursday, typically line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

After the European fixture, NEC return to Eredivisie action. The team departs for Zagreb on Wednesday to prepare for Thursday night's match.

NEC Nijmegen secured a 4-2 victory over Dinamo Zagreb in the Europa League on Thursday. The team of manager Dick Schreuder is now unbeaten in its last five matches. Clement Bischoff (25th minute) and Bryan Linssen (45th, 54th) scored for NEC, as did Tjaronn Chery (80th). Dion Beljo scored twice for Dinamo Zagreb. Schreuder said afterwards: "We have shown what we are capable of."

NEC Nijmegen played in a 3-4-2-1 formation on Thursday, according to the official lineup. Manager Dick Schreuder's side had 42 percent possession against Dinamo Zagreb's 58 percent. NEC had five shots on target, while goalkeeper G. Crettaz made seven saves. Clement Bischoff received a yellow card in stoppage time.