Viking FK stand 90 minutes away from a historic Champions League qualification when they welcome Dinamo Zagreb to Stavanger on Wednesday evening.

The Norwegian champions produced an excellent fightback to draw 2-2 in Croatia last week, leaving everything to play for against a Dinamo side seeking their 10th appearance in the Champions League group or league phase.

Viking FK

Viking could hardly have made a worse start to the first leg, conceding twice inside the opening 10 minutes as Dinamo threatened to take control of the entire tie.

What followed demonstrated why Viking ended Bodø/Glimt’s domestic dominance last season.

Peter Christiansen dragged the visitors back into contention with an excellent finish before captain Zlatko Tripic equalised before half time, transforming a potentially damaging evening into a hugely encouraging one.

Viking now return home knowing victory will take them into the Champions League league phase for the first time in their history.

That would represent another remarkable achievement for a club that only returned to Champions League competition this season after a 34-year absence. Their previous appearance came in 1992, when Barcelona ended their campaign in the first round.

Joint head coaches Bjarte Lunde Aarsheim and Morten Jensen have built a side capable of competing domestically with Norway’s strongest teams. After winning the Eliteserien last season, Viking remain firmly involved in another title race, sitting just one point behind leaders Bodø/Glimt with 13 victories from 17 matches.

Their domestic fixture at the weekend was postponed to give them maximum preparation time for Wednesday, and home advantage could prove important against a Dinamo side accustomed to these occasions.

Viking remain without Anders Baertelsen, Martin Ove Roseth and Veton Berisha through injury.

Christiansen should again spearhead the attack after scoring in Zagreb, while Tripic remains central to virtually everything Viking create. The captain has registered double figures for both goals and assists in each of the previous three seasons and will be expected to play another decisive role.

Dinamo Zagreb

Dinamo may feel that they should be travelling to Norway with an advantage after dominating the opening stages of last week’s first leg.

Goals from Dion Drena Beljo and Mateo Lisica put them 2-0 ahead almost immediately, but their failure to build on that start allowed Viking back into the contest.

They came close to snatching a winner late on when Mislav Orsic struck the post, with the ball then rebounding off goalkeeper Arild Østbø before going behind rather than crossing the line.

Despite that frustration, Dinamo’s confidence should remain high. They are unbeaten in all competitions this season and maintained their perfect domestic record with a 3-1 victory over NK Varaždin at the weekend.

Beljo scored again in that game and has now registered six goals across all competitions, making him the obvious danger to the Viking defence.

The Croatian champions also possess vastly more experience at this level. Dinamo are pursuing their 10th appearance in the Champions League group or league phase and have progressed from all but three of their last 24 qualifying ties in the competition.

Their route to the playoffs has already provided contrasting challenges. They required extra time to eliminate Thun in the second qualifying round before dismantling Kauno Žalgiris 7-1 on aggregate in the next.

Lukas Kačavenda has also impressed during the European campaign with three Champions League qualifying goals, giving Dinamo another significant attacking threat behind Beljo.

There are some selection questions for Mario Kovačević. Luka Stojković missed the weekend victory after being considered a fitness doubt, while Fran Topić and Miha Zajc were able to feature.

Goalkeeper Ivan Filipović is available again after serving his suspension in the first leg, leaving Kovačević to decide whether to restore him or retain Ivan Nevistić.

Verdict

Viking showed in Zagreb that they are capable of competing with Dinamo, and returning from 2-0 down should give the Norwegian champions enormous belief ahead of the decisive leg.

They also have the benefit of a free weekend and home advantage, while Tripic and Christiansen give them enough attacking quality to cause Dinamo further problems.

The major concern is Dinamo’s experience. The Croatian champions have navigated this stage of European competition countless times, remain unbeaten this season and possess a striker in Beljo who has started the campaign in outstanding form.

Viking should push them all the way, but Dinamo’s greater European experience and attacking quality may ultimately prove decisive in Stavanger.

Tip

Dinamo Zagreb to qualify.