Hajduk Split have advanced to the 2nd qualifying round of the Europa League with a 3-2 aggregate win over Žilina. Away in Slovakia, “Bili” lost 2-1, but the result was enough to see out the two-goal cushion they had from the first leg at Poljud.
Next up in the second qualifying round is Cypriot side Pafos FC. The first leg will be played on the 23rd of July at Poljud, with the return leg in Cyprus on the 30th.
The Match
The first half was pretty dull for a long period, with a lot of fouls from both sides. Dario Melnjak had a chance in the 26th minute after a brilliant play by Rokas Pukštas; however, Hajduk’s captain shot straight at the Žilina goalkeeper. With the last kick of the first half, Hrgović crossed the ball into the box from a free-kick and found Alec Van Hoorenbeeck, who was unmarked. The Belgian rose and headed the ball into the goal to make it 0-3 on aggregate after a poor first 45.
The second half began quickly, and in the 53rd minute, Marko Roginić was sent through and beat Toni Silić as the Croatian forward made it 1-3 on aggregate, giving Žilina belief as the hosts started going all out. Roginić had another clear goal chance just minutes later, but he blazed it over the bar from inside the box. Hajduk were then able to somewhat keep the hosts under control and even had a chance to put the game to bed in the 82nd minute as young Adam Huram’s shot was saved.
The Slovaks still weren’t giving up, and at the start of stoppage time, Timotej Hranica shot from the left side of the box. Silić saved it, but the save deflected off Dario Melnjak straight into the goal, as Žilina took the lead of the match but needed another goal to send the game into extra time. And they almost got it; with a minute left, Florea got a good look but sent his header just wide of the mark. The final whistle blew, and Hajduk let out a sigh of relief after escaping another European disaster.
A Look at Pafos
Hajduk will be a massive underdog in the next round of qualifying as they face off against Pafos, who played in the Champions League last season and had a good run in the competition, finishing 26th in the league stage in their first-ever competition appearance. The value of the reigning Cypriot Cup winners is just under €24M, according to Transfermarkt. Hajduk’s is €37M. Despite Hajduk being worth more, Pafos has been far more consistent in Europe over the last two years and achieved far more than Hajduk has since 2010.
Just to put things into perspective, Hajduk’s last win away in Europe was against Renova in 2020, when the qualifying rounds were just a single tie due to the COVID pandemic. And you have to go even further back to find the last time Hajduk won both ties in a single qualifying round, which was against Slavia Sofia back in 2018. If Hajduk can squeeze in a signing or two before the first or second leg vs. Pafos, it will massively help, as the team severely lacks players for the system Gonzalo Garcia wants to play.
Chelsea want Kerim
Told u MORONS he’s top top
Listen next time
Any MORON watching Istra MK Dons ?
Istra 2 goals but no clue if Saranic
involved
Please advise – the suspense is k@long Anonymous !!!
Spain wins based on in-place tactical system, teamwork, discipline and ego-less players, like Dani Olmo and others. Norway, seemed to have a few big egos that ruined their run, like Alex Sorloth. Would loved to have had a Spain Norway final.
France is more about raw talent, ego-full stars, and therefore the system details and discipline, sometimes go out the window, while playing if cool.
Petar Sucic, Baturina and those who are currently developing, hopefully dyed in the same cloth are our future, who seem humble and team oriented.
Unfortunately, Modric’s relatively lack of injury in his career is more of an anomaly, so we need a few more of their kind to develop, for when the injuries eventually do come.
Portugal 2nd half
Sutalo sleeping Laeo cut inside and shot off the bar 57’ – he should have stepped up and got in front of it – and in 61’ Sutalo sleeping as ball over his head to Ronaldo for the goal called back offside
Terrible sleepy defending both plays
I think the Hajduk fans need to leave their coach alone. There is a lot of flack they continuously give him for making decisions.
I know this happens at many clubs. But the guy is winning games, leave it be.
Marko Livaja cannot play in every match.
Guess Niko Kovac isn’t much of a talent spotter
Nicolas Jover – the #1 set piece coach in the World at Arsenal who single-handedly won them the league – joined the Croatia NT in 2013 under Niko Kovac as an pimply analyst
Too bad Niko didn’t keep him by his side all these years – instead of that cajoined brother of his Robert who should stop suckling from Niko’s nipple – fly little birdie
metro.co.uk/2024/02/24/meet-arsenals-set-piece-coach-nicolas-jover-secret-dead-ball-guru-20341678/
Yesterday Anonymous praises Zvonarek for wanting to prove/fight in Portugal (as opposed to running back to the HNL for the easy route like Vidovic and too too many others)
Today SN says the same
It’s wonderful having a 100% prediction/hit rate
https://www.jutarnji.hr/sportske/nogomet/lovro-zvonarek-estrela-amadora-riskantan-potez-minutaza-portugal-15728922
I’ve got a Portuguese friend who is the self proclaimed #1 Benfica supporter. He is really knowledgeable about all things related to Portuguese soccer. According to him, they have some player agent (kinda like Mamic) who controls the vast majority of what goes on in Portugal and pushes extremely hard for players he represents. Players with different agents really struggle. Apparently on the Portuguese National Team, he represents 23 out of the 26 guys. There have been players that turned down call ups knowing that they will never see the pitch due to having the wrong player agent. This might explain why young Croatians never really develop over there.
First half Hajduk looked OK and were the better team, however second half was a different story. Over the two legs Hajduk was the better team and deserved to go to the next round.
Sego up front is doing a lot of running as a lone striker but is not converting any chances that come his way like in the first leg in Split where Hajduk should have won by a bigger margin.
Never was a big fan of Livaja but I think for Hajduk he is still their best player up front and Garcia needs to be giving him more playing time despite recent disciplinary issues.
Pafos are strong favorites, but you never know anything is possible especially at this time of the year when teams are still in pre-season with most domestic leagues yet to KO.