Written by: Andrew R
With the 2nd leg of European matches now over, we will look at how all of our Croatian clubs advance to the next round. As the coefficient continues to climb, so does the difficulty for all HNL clubs still active in Europe. At the moment, all Croatian clubs are off to the races in European play!
Osijek vs ZTE (2:1)
Osijek confirmed their spot in Europe today with a solid showing away from home in Hungary. Darko Nejašmić was by far Osijek’s most important player of the night. From the opening whistle, he bossed the midfield and was dominant on the pitch. Osijek opened the scoring early with a Caktaš 1v1 shot that was deflected off Bence Gergényi into the net in the 9th minute. From there, Tomas’ squad continued their strong play into the 2nd half where Špoljarić found the second goal for the Bijelo Plavi. Despite ZTE getting a goal back to make the aggregate 3-1, Osijek looked comfortable and in control throughout both matches. After late minute drama, Adana Demirspor (Turkish club) knocked out Romanian side CFR Cluj. Osijek will face the Turkish club on August 10th in Adana. The return leg will be played in Osijek seven days later.
Rijeka vs Dukagjini (6:1)
Rijeka got a goal on the road in a game that many fans feel they could have gotten more out of. Dukagjini had a red card in that match and went down to 10 men but Rijeka could not find another goal. In the 2nd leg Thursday night, this was not the case at all. Rijeka came out more than prepared to finish what they started, netting 6 goals against the Kosovan side. Franjo Ivanović had a hat trick on the night; being Rijeka’s main man throughout the match. Despite the one goal from Dukagjini, there was hardly any real threat from them. Rijeka handled the game with ease and will be able to shift their focus to B36 Tórshavn, a Faroe Islands club. With Faroese clubs like Klaksvíkar making waves in European soccer, Rijeka will need to make it imperative to stomp out any hope for B36 before they can attempt a miracle win against Rijeka. Despite the aforementioned facts, Rijeka have a very favorable draw as they continue their European campaign in the Conference League qualifying rounds.
With 2/2 wins for Croatian clubs in Conference League qualification and 3/3 wins across all European competitions (including Dinamo), Croatian clubs are cruising through Europe at the moment. Do you think all our clubs can advance through to the group stage?
Dinamo take on Greek champions AEK Athens in Champions League qualifying while Hajduk will take on Greek side, PAOK, in Conference League 3rd Round qualifying with Rijeka and Osijek joining them.
Whose this Jakov Medić
Defender that just signed for Ajax
Good luck to him
As we all know a good place to develop
Look forward to ordering the CRO-inspired Man City kit – now that Gvardiol has signed !
Same
Wouldn’t wear a Man City kit if my dad played for them.
Hopefully NK Koefficijent can get it done this year boys
Gvardiol deal is finally done – he signed a 5 year contract with Man City. I am looking forward to seeing him play with Kovačić.
Hajduk has a decent chance. They played well in European play last season, and the team is arguably better this year. Most of the core players from last season are still there, and this Pukstas guy is a spectacular addition. I look forward to watching them if I can make the time to.
Nope. No chance. Sorry bro
According to the Croatian media, Pukstas is injured and won’t be playing against PAOK in the first match and probably the second leg as well.
Then very little chance. What they lacked last season against whichever portuguese club that was was speed. Pukstas adds speed up the middle, but without that Hajduk will have a lot of difficulty competing in Europe. Emir Sahiti is basically their only other fast player in the attack. Krovinović and Livaja are technically very skilled players, but they are not fast.
Just a reminder – but Hajduk actually beat that Portuguese team (Vitoria) and just got super unlucky to draw the beat team possible in the playoff round in Villareal
If you look at our recent Euro years, going back 10-20 years, it would be good year to have 2 teams in groups (Dinamo in UCL/UEL and another team in UECL). To have 3 teams in groups would be amazing. I can’t see all 4 teams making groups, especially with the draws we have in front of us.
In reality, would like to see Dinamo make it to KO’s and either Osijek, Hajduk or Rijeka either get a win or two or UECL or potentially somehow advance, but that would be pushing it.
How much does a team get for making it to conference group stage?
For making it to the 3rd qualifying round our clubs will get 550 K Euros.
If they make it to the play-off round it is 750 K.
For making it to the group stage you get 2.94 million Euros.
For every win in the group, you get around 500 K Euros and 160 K for a draw.
Not bad money for our clubs.
I was not impressed with Osijek’s second half performance. They struggled to keep possession and were just pumping long balls up field. They were lucky that
ZTE were wasteful in front of goal otherwise it could have been the end of their European adventure. Even if they were to beat Adana in the third qualifying round?? I cannot see them beating a seeded team in the play-off round.
Chances of making it to group stage: 5%
Rijeka should and will make the play-off round, however they will also need a lot of luck in the play-off round against a seeded team.
Chances of making it to group stage: 20%
Hajduk if they can beat PAOK in the third qualifying round will be seeded in the play-off round. Chances of making it to group stage: 40%
Dinamo at worst has already booked a spot in the group stage of the Conference League. If they can keep all their players (Ivanusec, Sutalo, Livakovic and Petkovic) I think it is 50/50 in the match up against AEK.
Not sure I’d give Hajduk a 40% chance. PAOK are just a better team than Hajduk, top to bottom. Hajduk on their best day can maybe get a result or two , no question. But then you’re still looking at a hard draw in the playoffs. Rijeka got some luck here in the 3rd round quals but then they’re looking at being unseeded in the PO and can easily get a Fiorentina, Aston Villa, Lille or whatever big team that gets transferred from UEL that would just demolish them.
Hope I’m proved wrong but it could be another year of only Dinamo playing Euro football come the spring.
PAOK finished in the top 4 last season and they seem to be an up and down team while Hajduk currently have full belief in themselves…I think they win to be honest. PAOK will be without their best player and maybe a second good player which is a major handicap for them going to Split!
I see Hajduk coming out on top and then going back to Greece they’ll need to be extremely disciplined!
I think it is definitely possible for Hajduk to win against PAOK but the loss of Pukštas will make this a tough feat to do. I can see them winning at home, but I am 50/50 on if they can get a result in Greece.