Derby County’s Under-23s will have to wait until January to learn their Premier League International Cup fate after a 1-0 defeat to Dinamo Zagreb at St George’s Park.
Mario Cuze grabbed the only goal to secure top spot for the away side as Darren Wassall’s team suffered their first defeat in Group C in their final game of 2017.
The visitors asserted themselves on the game, both on the ball and physically, and powerful midfielder Karlo Muhar created the first opening when he drove forward and found Borna Miklic but Ethan Wassall got back well to block.
Kobie Morris found space at the back post shortly after but Max Lowe provided the timely intervention shortly after, but Zagreb weren’t to be denied as the game approached the half hour mark.
Dario Sakic was fortunate to beat Joe Bateman as the ball bounced off the defender and into his path, and his low cross was pinpoint, giving Cuze a simple finish to open the scoring.
Derby came into the game after the break, with Offrande Zanzala almost connecting with Alex Babos’ deep free-kick, before Mason Bennett fired wide from distance.
Lowe was marauding down the left-hand side but he couldn’t find an end product to help bring Derby level, whilst Zanzala continued to provide a threat down the opposite wing.
The Derby left-back had the opportunity to grab the equaliser late on when he was played in behind, but he put his shot just wide and Zagreb held on for a narrow victory.
Derby County: Barnes; Stabana, Bateman, Wassall, Lowe; Guy (Walker, 78’), Bird; Bennett, Vernam, Babos; Zanzala.
Substitutes not used: Yates, Karic, Taylor, Cresswell, Mitchell-Lawson.
Dinamo Zagreb: Horkas; Perkovic, Uremovic, Morris, Cabraja; Knezovic (Plantak, HT), Muhar; Cuze, Durasek (Anic, 82’), Sakic (Bozic, 71’); Miklic.
Substitutes not used: Juric, Maglica, Gogic, Rasic.
Major Moment…
Centre-back Bateman has been solid in recent weeks and he was desperately unfortunate to be beaten by Sakic down the left-hand side before the winger crossed for Cuze to give his side the lead.
It looked like the Derby man had made a perfectly-timed tackle but the ball bounced luckily into the path of the Zagreb forward and they took full advantage.
Who Impressed…
Kyron Stabana is always a vibrant threat from full-back as he looks to support attacks and he had the space to run into as Zagreb retreated in the second half.
The Rams couldn’t find the decisive equaliser but it was still a promising display from the youngster against physical opposition.
What’s Next…
The Under-23s don’t play again until Sunday 7th January, when they make the long trip Sunderland in Premier League 2 – Division One, before returning to St George’s Park to face Swansea City in the same competition on Monday 15th January.
