Zero points, zero games: Hapoel Beer Sheva and Dinamo Zagreb begin level

A clean slate in Bucharest

Hapoel Beer Sheva and Dinamo Zagreb begin the UEFA Europa League league stage on Wednesday, September 16, with both teams on zero points from zero games. The table places Dinamo Zagreb 12th and Hapoel Beer Sheva 13th, while Anderlecht leads on zero points. Those positions carry little meaning before a ball is played, but the opening result will establish the first direction of the campaign.

The match starts at 19:00 UTC at Superbet Arena - Giulesti in Bucharest, with J. Brooks appointed referee. Neither side has recent form data available, so there is no verified momentum advantage to bring into the contest. Both teams instead face the immediate task of turning an empty record into a positive one.

Limited statistical clues

Hapoel Beer Sheva’s supplied home figures show no wins, draws or losses, with zero goals scored, zero conceded and zero clean sheets. Dinamo Zagreb’s away record is equally blank: zero wins, draws and losses, with no goals scored, conceded or clean sheets. These figures reflect the absence of recorded games in the current competition context rather than a demonstrated strength or weakness.

The data includes no formations or selected starting players. That prevents a reliable comparison of shape, pressing, width or midfield numbers. Tactically, the clearest expectation is that both coaching teams must manage an unfamiliar league-stage opening without a statistical trend to guide their approach. The side that controls the early phases and avoids giving away the first advantage may set the match’s rhythm.

Absences reshape the options

Hapoel Beer Sheva will be without D. Biton because of heart problems. D. T. Diop and E. Peretz are listed as missing after red cards, while R. Levy and Y. Stoyanov are off the roster. The missing players reduce the available selection, although the supplied information does not identify their positions or indicate which areas are most affected.

Dinamo Zagreb also have a sizeable unavailable group. B. Goda and D. Rodriguez are inactive, while R. Mudrazija, I. Nevistic, N. Nsoki, A. Stojakovic, P. Tabinas and F. Topic are off the roster. Without positions or formations, their absences cannot be mapped to a specific tactical adjustment. Dinamo may nevertheless need to keep its plan flexible as the match develops.

What the opening result means

With both sides level on points and no goal difference established, any victory would provide an immediate platform in the league table. Hapoel Beer Sheva will seek to use the fixture to move above Dinamo Zagreb, while Dinamo can create early separation from the team directly below them. A draw would leave both teams with one point and preserve the close starting picture.

Prediction: Hapoel Beer Sheva 1-1 Dinamo Zagreb. With no recent form, recorded home or away results, formations or player selections to separate them, a cautious opening draw is the most supportable outcome.