Hajduk aim to avenge 3-1 loss to AEK and overtake the Greek side in Group G
Hajduk fans are hoping to see the team that gave Zenit St. Petersburg a scare three weeks ago rather than the lackluster bunch that has worn the white jerseys as of late when Hajduk take on Greek side AEK today at Split’s Poljud stadium.
Hajduk sits at the bottom of UEFA Europa League Group G on three points, a single point behind RSC Anderlecht and AEK for the all important second spot.
Hajduk desperately need to avenge their 3-1 loss to AEK in the Group’s opening round, as anything short of the full three points will almost certainly end the “bijeli’s” hopes of advancing to the tournament’s knockout stage.
While a win is certainly attainable, especially given the club’s positive start in the Athens opener, Hajduk’s poor recent form has forced fans to temper their enthusiasm. Hajduk is coming off a less-than-convincing 2-1 win over 11th-place Osijek, the win coming courtesy of an 86th minute Osijek own goal.
Photo: Vladimir Dugandžić/CROPIX
AEK arrives in Split
Hajduk is 3-1 in prva liga play under interim head coach Goran Vučević, yet that record is somewhat misleading — all four games have been against teams in the league’s bottom third, including a 2-0 loss to 15th-place NK Istra 1961.
“It will be difficult to play at the top level – the pitch and weather conditions won’t really suit either us or them. I think hunger for victory, passion and desire will be decisive, rather than good football. Our build-up has been calm, there’s no euphoria, but don’t doubt that the crowd will be our 12th player. We have some individuals who can make a difference and can be decisive, but I think it will be more a case of whoever makes fewer mistakes. There will be some changes in our team, but but I’m not saying who. I am optimistic because Zenit and Anderlecht are perceived as better teams than AEK.”
~Hajduk manager, Goran Vučević
Still, with a game against Group leaders Zenit on the horizon, AEK can ill afford the luxury of playing for a draw. Zenit thrashed the Greek side 4-2 in the teams’ first meeting.
Probable Lineups:
Hajduk (4-4-2): Radošević, Maloča, Buljat, Vejić, Jozinović, Strinić, Ibričić, Ljubičić, Oremuš, Anas i Vukušić
AEK (4-2-3-1): Arabatzis, Jahić, Dellas, Manolas, Lagos, Makos, Diop, Scocco, Leonardo, Eder i Blanco
There's no doubt Maloca was late getting to the ball on that play that resulted in the penalty but it was Jozinovic who let the AEK player put in the cross. I actually like Maloca but Jozinovic was clearly out of his element.
Yep, Cop was useless as a substitute. Sharbini certainly did generate some offense in the first half but he was pretty quiet in the second half. He seems to try to do way too much, too often.
I'll agree again, it is clearly time for Ibro and Strinic to go.
Well, good thing that is over with. Dumb, dumb, dumb mistakes.
They outplayeed AEK in the first half but could not finish the chances they created. 2nd half was a different story.
The PK on Maloca was idiotic. No clue what he is doing on that one. The 2nd goal bugs me even more. No clue what Jozinovic is trying to do, its so simple to gaurd the post on a corner kick.
Overall it was a good season for Hajduk by qualifying for a euro tournament for the first time in 16 years. The league is over with and nobody pays attention to it anyway. Hajduk should sell anyone worth selling (Ibricic, Strinic) throw Maloca in the more and just play the kids for the remainder of the year. Duje Cop can be thrown into the more as well. Any grown man that has a faux hawk should be publically caned/whipped. I want to see more or Trebotic and Andrijasevic.
No complains about the effort and how Hajduk is playing. Had 3 or 4 legit chances to score.
Too bad the field is so bad.
I have never seen Sharbini play better. I guess he is even bound for a good game once in a while.
Even a tie here keeps hajduk in play for 2nd place.
Scoreless at the half… so far so good. It would have been pretty sweet had Ljubicic capitalized on that late scoring chance.
Get ready for an ugly game. The pitch is in bad shape with the rain during the day.
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