Dinamo pulled through on Thursday with yet another victory at Poljud over Hajduk in another closely contested 1-0 win. Sandro Kulenović scored the only goal of the match off a shot that was deflected by Hajduk goalkeeper Lovre Kalinić into a dangerous area. Shortly after, Lovre Kalinić was subbed off with an injury, forcing a previously hurt Ivan Lučić to come in and step up for Hajduk. He would go on to make multiple saves which kept Hajduk in the game. Hajduk took on large amounts of pressure from Dinamo in the 1st half, who had multiple chances to extend their lead.
Lučić made three crucial saves in the 1st half that kept Hajduk in the fight and stopped what seemed to be a landslide rout from Dinamo. However, once the 2nd half started, Hajduk began dishing out their own attacks. And then it happened! Croatia legend, Ivan Perišić, returned to the pitch for the first time since September after suffering an ACL tear. Despite losing the match, Hajduk fans rallied around Perišić’s return to play with cheers and excitement that he was back at his boyhood club in a video that can be seen here.
Ultimately, despite creating chances throughout the 2nd half, the match unfolded similar to last weekend’s clash at Poljud. Hajduk again created great chances but failed to score off any. The best chance was a Sigur shot well within the box in the sixth minute of added time that hit the crossbar and bounced out of play. Hajduk’s elimination from the tournament sees them miss out on an opportunity to keep the Cup in Split for a third straight year. Hajduk must now move all their focus onto the league title fight with a crucial game against Rijeka on Sunday. As for Dinamo, they get yet another chance for a showdown with league leaders Rijeka for the Cup title. Rijeka narrowly advanced over Lokomotiva in another 1-0 match thanks to a goal from Ivan Smolčić. Rijeka officially ruled out the possibility of Marko Pjaca’s knee injury being serious after medical tests. Pjaca should be ready for Sunday’s clash with Hajduk, per Germanijak.
@Slavonac from Canada
Sadly, I don’t have any streaming from Croatia. I just talked to my cousin who notified me about Krasic in Hamilton who sets everyone up.
I’m looking forward to watching HNL next year.
If I had witnessed what you were mentioning, I would be happy too. Attacking are people because they support Dinamo or play for them is beyond stupid.
I remember when Dinamo was in Toronto playing a friendly against the Rangers. We won 2-1 I believe. I think was late 90’s early 2000’s.
After the game some tough guy Croat Split fans were trying to emulate the Torcida from back home by insulting a Scottsman in front of his 8 year old boy.
I lost my mind on them back then and threatened to drop every single one of them for their classless act.
I then apologized to the Father for my idiot brothers wannabe hooliganism.
Just a bunch of losers who have no backbone 1v1 but think 🤔 their hot 🥵 stuff when in large groups.
The media was pushing for Hajduk all season. When they pushed Brekalo as a massive signing I just sat and laughed to myself… this has to be one of the most ignorant moves any club has made in years. First they over play the return of a retired Nikola Kalinic on a $1 Euro per month salary (that’s paying too much, some young kid could be getting experience) and then they over play the Brekalo to Hajduk move…as if he’s been on fire and returning to Croatia to boost the league when in fact he’s a flop and looking to a team in the HNL to help him rejuvenate his career. This media is irresponsible and ignorant.
With regards to today’s game. All I can say is this was gonna happen once Jakirovic got his team settled and playing utilizing his system and instructions. They are less quality but they’re playing his system and they’re getting better slowly. Dinamo are a better organized team and it shows.
What can we all say about Torcida? Those assholes are just a nuisance and a disgrace. Throwing things at Baturina and then after the game attacking the players, attacking the Dinamo fans, tearing out seats, setting fires, causing chaos all over Split and of course we know there’ll be those apologists that defend them as if they are a misunderstood group of good guys! 🤮
The better team won again, the better team didn’t win earlier this season but Hajduk’s luck eventually ran out. This is a sad season after all the big expectations and pre celebration preparations! I gotta say, I love it and the media and Torcida suck it!
As a Hajduk fan I’m disappointed that we lost AGAIN and after a promising start to the season things just fell apart. I think that Dinamo will win the title again as they have the strongest squad of players. As far as Torcida are concerned they are nothing but a bunch of hooligans who cause trouble wherever they go. Unfortunately, the laws in Croatia are not tough enough to deal with these thugs.
You’re always fair, honest and correct Mart, I read your comments and respect you and I’ll often challenge myself if I see you have a different opinion than I do.
I felt Hajduk were pretty lucky to get the wins early this season. Although Dinamo weren’t creating lots of chances they still outplayed and outchanced Hajduk but still lost in the first games of this season. That’s why I felt our win a few days back was a bit of karma.
This guy is an idiot. What media was pushing hajduk? Fan enthusiasm and social media posts are one thing, but I don’t know of many legit media outlets in Cro that were claiming hajduk was a favorite.
I think most people with a brain can notice the difference. Or maybe you struggle reading or listening.
This site used to be fun, but now filled with dumb comments by people who can’t distinguish between fans being fans and legit commentary.
i am no fan of Torcida, but without them and normal hajduk fans nobody watches this league. that is why punishment wont be too much for them.
@Ante
Brekalo and Kalinic, I will give the nista pass but to expect anything from Perisic is absolutely ridiculous.
I’ve had ACL reconstructive surgery and to be back playing in less than 6 months at a professional level is feat in itself.
Split is already a sinking ship, If Ivan was healthy and playing all year, I would guarantee that this team would be in first but sadly his messiah status will have to wait until next year.
FYI, I’m a Dinamo fan but rather see some competition in this league. Better for the fans on all sides.
I’m also a Liverpool fan and having had the same sadness regarding Everton. When the Eternal Derby turns into a one sided joke, no one can be happy.
Hajduk gets bitch slapped twice in 4 days at home by their daddy. lol!!!
Who are they going to blame now? Mamic? lol
Loved seeing Ivan return, hopefully gets to Euros.
Little Brekalo did nothing.
Bili embarrassed. Out of the league and Cup.
This time it would be different they screeched…lol!!!!
#plavi
Livaja, Kalinic, Perisic, ……..Hajduk still can’t win. On Bright side good news for the HNL, and national team. Maybe in another life for Hajduk. I feel like a Chicago cubs fan. Love seeing Perisic in a Hajduk jersey.
What a bust of a season. They only needed one of Perisic, Kalinic, Brekalo to do something. Ništa.
Wouldn’t call this a bust. This isn’t like years ago Dinamo get the title with a 20+ point margin and Hajduk are a dumpster fire. They were neck and neck for 1st all year. Hajduk will finish within 10 points of whoever wins the title. They have some good youth pieces that will continue to grow. Full season of a healthy Livaja, Perisic, Krovinovic, Puktas, Sigur and Brekalo and maybe next year they run the table? Especially if Rijeka lose a bunch of guys if they win the title (highly likely) or Sopic leaves and/or Dinamo offload some of there guys.
This is assuming Hajduk actually plays the youngsters.
My guess is they’ll continue to try and sign familiar (yet washed up) names, while dumping their U19 Youth League finalists for cash without even trying to develop them.
Hajduk can parlay this season into success next year, but only if they don’t sell their young players too early. I wouldn’t be surprised to see lowball offers for Pukstas and Sigur. They are both under contract for a number of years, but this often means the buying club will have to pay instead of wait out the players’s contract. Hopefully Hajduk doesn’t sell for a quick buck.
Congrats to Rijeka for the win against Hajduk today. Perisic made a big difference, with a cross that should have ended up in a goal, and a volley on a poor cross that he missed. If the cross to him had been hit properly, he would have an easy header for a probable goal.
Dinamo kept getting better as the season went on while Hajduk hit a peak and actually got worse.
Kalinić up front is useless. Guys that played well at midfield are either playing injured or ineffective.
There is no chemistry on the team. Even though they’ve lost a slew of good players to transfers, Dinamo actually looks like a team who defends well and creats good scoring chances. Hajduk’s coaching staff is way in over their heads.
Well done article, but it doesn’t mention trash being throw on corner kicks and fans storming the pitch. With the below average play on the field and fan behavior, not a good look for Croatian soccer.
Rijeka also have officially ruled out the possibility of Pjaca’s knee injury being a serious one after medical tests……… koje sranje.
Rijeka se nije oglasila. neki novinar je. to vam je velika razlika.
What you talkin’ about Willis?