Luciano Spalletti(left) won’t be able to argue the call at Poljud
Zenit St. Petersburg coach Luciano Spalletti brings his UEFA Europa League Group G-leading side into Poljud stadium today with the aim of locking up the group’s top spot with two games to spare.
CSR WILL NOT BE ABLE TO BROADCAST THE DINAMO & HAJDUK MATCHES LIVE ON THURSDAY. FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO WILL BE WATCHING, PLEASE KEEP US ALL UPDATED THROUGH COMMENTS. TALK TO YOU ALL AFTER THE GAMES.
Goran Vučević(left) talking over strategy with team of coaches
Hajduk’s interim head coach Goran Vučević and his charges will be counting on 35,000 raucous supporters to help keep the club’s unblemished home record in 2010 European play intact. More importantly, a win or draw against Zenit would give Hajduk’s hopes of securing second place in the four-team group a much needed boost.
Hajduk secured their only win of the group stage at Poljud, downing RSC Anderlecht 1-0 September 30. The “bijeli” also won the home ends of their two qualifying ties against Romanian opposition. Hajduk scored eight goals in the three home matches and conceded just one.
Hajduk has played some of their most exciting football at home in European play – clearly, there’s something about the inimitable atmosphere of Poljud that has brought the best out of the boys from Split.
Senijad Ibričić(right) in action against Zenit and Križanac(left)
Vučević is hoping a minor tactical change will help midfielder Senijad Ibričić regain his early-season scoring form. Vučević has indicated he’ll play Ibričić in more of an attacking role behind striker Ante Vukušić.
Hajduk fan picked up 4 tickets
The home crowd promises to be especially fired up, as Serbian media reports suggest several hundred Serbian hooligans plan on joining their Russian brethren in Split. One Belgrade-based hooligan was quoted in the Belgrade press, saying “there will be enough of us to destroy and burn down the entire city of Split.”
Hundreds of Hajduk fans showed up at Poljud looking for a ticket
At the same time, Torcida has surely not forgotten that hundreds of Zenit supporters ambushed a handful of Hajduk fans prior to the teams’ first meeting two weeks ago.
Ivica Križanac arrives at Kaštela
Hajduk may have caught the heavily favoured Russian league leaders at an opportune time, as Spalletti has left seven regulars at home in St. Petersburg. Forwards Danny and Aleksandr Kerzhakov did not make the trip. Defenders Bruno Alves, Roman Shirokov and Tomáš Huboča will also be unavailable for Zenit, as will midfielders Konstantin Zyryanov and Vladimir Bystrov.
Hajduk press conference
Hi, Neat post. There’s an issue together with your web site in internet explorer, may test this… IE still is the marketplace chief and a huge component of other folks will pass over your great writing due to this problem.
Zenit is the better side. Only reason Hajduk was able to score the two goals is when Zenit started playing the final 30 minutes like it was a friendly match.
The better team obviously won, but it would have been nice if we saw that same attacking mentality in the first half instead of just sitting back watching Zenit play keep-away.
I don;t know, we have to be more realistic towards Hajduk. Yes, they are still alive but in reality they are lucky to have three points. They also don;t have a real manager yet, luckily for them the next game is in December so they have a month the find that guy.
The score was 1-0 when my feed froze. By the time I reloaded the feed, it was 2-0.
Then, my feed quickly froze again. By the time I returned, it was 3-0! What the hell?!
Oh well, at l east I got to see the determined comeback effort.
For what it's worth, both Hajduk and Dinamo control their own destiny with the current results.
Hell of a comeback even though they didn't get the point. Buljat killed them with 2 fouls in the box out of the 2nd half shoot. Will be good for Hajduk morale.
Athens-Anderlecht draw means all is still to play for.
Well at least it was entertaining towards the end.
or this one
This corner might be their last chance
Looks like I'm missing an exciting ending.
"9TH CIRCLE OF HELL HUH?"
Haha, all of hell must be frozen if Hajduk pulls this off….but don't get me wrong, I hope they do.
Actually as crazy as it sounds they're still alive to tie it up now, nice goal.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOL!!!!!
3-2 OH MY GOD…
VUKUSIC DESERVED THAT AFTER HIS SHOT WAS DENIED.
9TH CIRCLE OF HELL HUH?
I know, just being a bit facetious….
I really do not expect Hajduk to make a full come back, at least a consolation goal.
"all comebacks gotta start from somewhere ;)"
I guess anything is possible, crazier shit has happened in sports and according to Dante the 9th circle of hell is already frozen over…so I guess Hajduk has a chance.
@ Michael,
That's exactly why I don't bet anymore. 🙂
Ljubicic could have been called for travelling in the NBA for that hand ball. Still got the goal. 3-1 Zenit in the 71st.
Hey, all comebacks gotta start from somewhere 😉
courtesy of a handball actually
At least they got a consolation goal.
Anderlecht tie it up.
You can't really go wrong with any European experience that our club teams receive. It can only help benefit the club in the long run. And if not, it's more money for the club.
may not be popular, but I think Hajduk should give up on Europe and focus on the league
I don't get what Bilic sees in Buljat, he is at fault for at least 4-5 goals in the Europa League and he still gets called up. Bilic will probably get a nice cut of his diminishing transfer fee
Zenit at one point had 80% possession. Hajduk are just plain embarassing themselves, but then again they lost to Istra only a week ago at home
I consider it a success they made it this far. They don't have the depth to much else. 4 points in the next two games would be excellent. AEK is in the driver's seat for 2nd place, but Hajduk will have a chance against them at home.
AEK up 1-0 on a PK.
I'll take your bet Ante
btw if LA Galaxy make MLS Cup final, are you coming up to Toronto?
Game is already over…
Let's make this interesting.
2-1 odds that Hajduk scores a goal. I don't think they have it in them.
I think it was you who said about the learning experience for the young guys. You said it yourself, Zenit are a Champions League quality side, and just miles ahead.
If Hajduk can pull off 4 points from the next 2 matches, would you consider this year a success or bust?
I had to step away and missed the call for the first, but the second was legit.
"national team" member Buljat concedes two penalty kicks in 4 minutes about…and Bilic is in the crowd, congrats
"learning experience"….nice cliche. it's only a learning experience if these kids develop into something. if this is the best they have, then it does not mean much. It just mean they overacheived to get to this point.
Wow 3-0 off another penalty.
Are these PK's legit or questionable?
Another penalty for Zenit, Subasic blocks it but then it's buried off the rebound, 3-0.
2-0 off of a penalty.
Hopefully AEK/Anderlecht play out to a nice 0-0 tie.
Would still give Hajduk a chance to pickup 6 points from 2 matches and qualify for round of 32.
Even if they don't qualify, this is a good learnding experience for them.
this is a legit final 16 team for the Champions League, no surpirse with the level of play on the field. Telent wins out at the end of the day and Zenit has much more than Hajduk.
Zenit just dominating…even with their B team
Zenit up 1-0 after Hajduk fails to clear a corner.
NEKI DODJE SVAKI SERB SVI MI GA MOGU POPUSIT, ONI ZAPALIT MOJ GRAD , BIT CE 3 SVJETSKI RAT PRIJE TOGA
HRVATSKA
ZA DOM SPRENI
Hajduk 2-0
Dinamo 1-1
I wish, however, some of those B-team members will be motivated tomorrow to impress. I will take the safe bet of 1-1….
Lets see who Ante Kvartuc jinxes this week.
Great work Tom!
Another miracle goal for Hajduk late…
1-0 Hajduk!