Ante Čizmić/Cropix: Hajduk fall 2-0 to Zenit
Written by Tom Renić
Despite a 2-0 defeat in St. Petersburg today, Hajduk’s hope of advancing to the UEFA Europa League’s knockout stage remains very much alive as Anderlecht’s 3-0 win over AEK leaves the “bijeli” in a three-way dogfight with Anderlecht and AEK for second place in Group G. All three clubs have identical 1-2 records, as all three have now lost to Zenit. Hajduk began smartly today before conceding the game’s first goal in the 24th minute as Senijad Ibričić was dispossessed of the ball roughly 35 meters from his own goal. While the tackle sent Ibričić sprawling, the referee refused to blow his whistle and Zenit clinically put the ball in the back of Hajduk’s net seconds later.
Ibričić picked up a yellow card for arguing his case a little vehemently. He appears to be suffering from “Darijo Srna” syndrome- flopping to the ground far too easily as of late in the hope of drawing fouls. Ibričić would have been better advised to battle to regain possession rather than giving up on the play that ultimately changed the entire complexion of the game.
Hajduk trailed just 1-0 at the half. The score remained unchanged until Zenit notched their second at the 68 minute mark. Hajduk central defender Jurica Buljat watched helplessly as Zenit’s Portuguese forward Danny got on the end of a cross inside the six-yard box to redirect a cross past Danijel Subašić.
Hajduk had their best two chances to score in extra time as Marin Ljubičić tested the Zenit goalkeeper with a free shot on goal in the 92nd minute before Ante Vukušić was denied just a minute later. Hajduk will have genuine reason to believe they can avenge today’s loss when the two teams play again November 4th in Split.
Ante Čizmić/Cropix: Ibričić vs. Križanac
Starters:
ZENIT (4-3-3): Zhevnov – Anyukov, Lombaerts, Križanac, Luković – Denisov, Fayzulin, Semak – Lazović, Bukharov, Danny.
HAJDUK (4-2-3-1): Subašić – Oremuš, Maloča, Buljat, Strinić – Ljubičić, Brkljača – Bulku, An. Sharbini, Ibričić – Vukušić.
well, at least now you all know how to spell hajduk in cyrillic! samo DINAMO!
look at Hajduk's recent history (10 years) playing european matches at home (usually qualifing matches for EUFA Cup/Europa League) against quality opposition. They always play well at home and raise their level. That is the only thing that makes me think they have a chance at a draw. Roma, Sampdoria, Fiorentina, Mallorca….all matches where hajduk did not choke at home and actually gave themselves a chance to get a point. The odds still say Zenit will get all 3 points, but history says Hajduk has a chance at points.
@Kvartuc,
I dont think you gave Hajduk any credit. Yes, it could have been 5-0 for Zenit. It also could have been 2-1 if Hajduk would have scored on Vukusic' header in the dying seconds.
Before the match, Poklepovic said that Hajduk went to St. Petersburg to "snimati" Zenit. I guarantee you that you will see a different Hajduk at Poljud, especially after Torcida was attacked.
Hajduk 1 Zenit 1 in the return.
Hajduk fan after Zenit attack
I'm surprised at you who think Hajduk can even draw Zenit at home in 2 weeks. If you didn't catch the game, I could understand how a 2-0 loss on the road to the current Russian leaders looks promising.
However, Zenit played their C+ game today and still made it look like men against boys.
Zenit's #9 Bukharov should have had a hat trick in the first half. He kept beating the offside trap and ran right down the middle numerous times, receiving lobs all day long. But his chest traps were off and giving Subasic enough space to grab the ball.
And the bouncing ball off the post with Subasic out of net. The Zenit player had a gimme putt for the goal but was thinking about his celebration instead of getting the job done.
It could have easily been 5-0. With a win in Split, Zenit just about wraps up the group. That's what they have going for them.
Will Krizanac get another start for Zenit in his home town of Split though? Because that would be a nice touch for him.
no idea why Ladic never called up Marin Ljubicic to the U21s, but thats the past now. He looks like a good player
I was surprised with Hajduk, they played good considering the opposition and it was away from home, but I felt Maloca and Buljat had poor communication all game, many times their offside traps didn't work and the second goal saw Danny unmarked literally 7 yards in front of goal in between them
I still don't see Hajduk taking points against Zenit at home, especially if they use their strongest side. They key match will be AEK at home, thats a must win
if Hajduk can somehow get a point against Zenit in Split, they have a chance. AEK will beat Anderlecht at home. Then it comes down to the Hajduk-AEK game and Hajduk will need to win that in Split. Final game in Belgium might be easier for Hajduk is Anderlecht is eliminated at that point. What is in AEK favor is their last game is at home against a Zenit side that will play backups.
Zenit dominated from start to finish as expected. Bukharov should have had a had trick for Zenit. Besides all this, Hajduk didn't park the bus in front of the goal and had a few decent chances in injury time that brings confidence for the return leg at Poljud.
I still think Zenit and Anderlecht will advance. Hajduk must win against AEK to have any hope of advancing.
Ziva,
I agree, a solid effort from Hajduk. With a few breaks, it might have ended differently.
I thought Buljat was solid… apart from the two costly gaols.
I was very pleased NOT to see Vejic in there. I believe Hajduk is far more solid defensively WITHOUT him in the lineup.
I think Strinic and Maloca also played well. Strinic does a nice job of creating scoring chances, although he seems to fail to make better uses of the opportunities that he helps to create.
Subasic appears to have gotten over his problems. I thought he played quite well.
As you have noted before, Sharbini is a "good for one game, absent for four games" kind of player. I thought even Jozinovic played well down the stretch. Given Sharbini's recent form, I would leave him out of the lineup.
Ibro has not really impacted a game since Hajduk's Europa League qualifiers. While he was carrying the club on his shoulders, he sems to have become far less relevant.
As for Cop, I was not impressed today.
I think both Bulku and Brkljaca have had better days.
I remain very impressed with Ljubicic.
Zenit is going to have this group wrapped up early, so whoever plays them in the last leg (AEK) will have a huge advantage.
Buljat…..he had better days, not a great outing for him. Maloca on the other hand I thought played good. Did a good job of closing down the Zenit forwards when they had space.
Anyone who thought hajduk could get a point was being unrealistic. the talent gap is supreme. Hajduk played well and you cant fault the effort. The better team won. What I like in all of this is the young guys that hajduk is playing. Ultimately, it up to them to produce if they are given the chance and this could benefit the national team down the years. If hajduk was still stuck with the "stara politika" players like Vukusic would have never received a chance this season.
Vukusic and Ljubicic had some good chances towards the end. Zenit kinda fell asleep towards the end.
Perhaps, Hajduk can tie the return leg in Poljud, hope for AEK/Anderlecht to tie……….an Anderlecht win is the best thing to happen.
Honestly, I was surprised it was only 1-0 at half. And it not like Hajduk played with all 10 guys behind the ball. I was expected a worse score line, so this is not that bad. The budget of the two teams is a 25-1 ratio.
Hajduk has played a fairly good game, but they were a bit out matched. Zenit are set to win Russian PL, 6 points up on Rubin with 2 games in hand.
Dumb mistakes by hajduk on the goals. I am really not too disapointed with their play. Zenit is a Champions League quality side. If the other game holds the same, there will be a 3-way tie for 2nd place in this group.
They responded pretty well to the goal. Its gonna be tough to not concede on the counter in the 2nd half. But 1-0, they still have a chance. In good news, Anderlecht is winning 1-0 at half.
Zenit up 1-0 off a header from Buhkarov.