Varaždin 1-2 Slaven
All eyes were on Slaven Belupo’s attack on Friday after their top striker, Arber Hoxha, departed for Dinamo over the winter window. Despite the speculations on if Slaven could generate an attack after now losing both Crnac and Hoxha within a span of months, Slaven was able to edge out Varaždin in a 2-1 victory at the Stadion Varteks in Varaždin. As for Varaždin their 2-1 home defeat was certainly less than ideal for their return back to HNL play. While most of the match was evenly contested by both sides, a red card on Agbekpornu with 20 minutes left to play seemingly made it Varaždin’s game to lose. However, controversially Slaven was given a penalty in the box just minutes after the refs missed a seemingly clear handball in the box that would have awarded Varaždin a penalty in their favor. Nevertheless, Slaven took their chance and slotted home their penalty thanks to Benedik Mioč, the veteran midfielder who contributed to both goals for Slaven.
Istra 0-1 Dinamo Zagreb
Dinamo were able to survive a near second upset since their return back to HNL on Tuesday. Former Istra defender, Mauro Perković was able to get the lone goal against his former club in a 1-0 win for Dinamo. Had it not been for a near miss by Istra’s Vuk in the dying minutes of the game Dinamo could have been in real trouble. While Istra can be disappointed in missing out on the chance of stealing a point from Dinamo, they can still hang their heads high after giving Dinamo a real run for their money. Meanwhile, Dinamo’s management and fans are in full panic mode as Jakirović’s tactics have not been working as of late for Dinamo. As Rijeka and Hajduk slowly start to widen the gap many wonder if Jakirović’s tenure as Dinamo’s manager is dangerously close to being over. What was supposed to be an easy stretch of games for Dinamo to ease into has become anything but that. Dinamo will get a chance next week to rebuild their confidence by taking on a Gorica side that find themselves similarly out of form. For Dinamo fans anything other than an easy win might not only see Jakirović’s season in jeopardy, but Dinamo’s as well.
Osijek 2-0 Rudeš
Osijek return to HNL play with the easiest match up of the match week against Rudeš. Osijek’s comfortable victory comes as a surprise to little, handing Rudeš their 16th loss this season. Ramon Mierez for Osijek, who grabbed the brace that saw Osijek go 2-0 up, grabbed his 8th goal this season, making him the top scorer in the HNL so far this season. Mierez’s ability to hit his old form could be crucial for the Bijelo-Plavi as their veteran midfielder, Caktaš, is seemingly halfway out the door and looking to leave the club by the end of the winter window. Caktaš has 7 goals so far this season for Osijek, and was crucial in the early months for Osijek’s attack. Since the arrival of Zekić he has seen his minutes slowly dwindle down. Osijek’s victory will be a morale boost for the Bijelo-Plavi as they look to an ever so important match against Hajduk next Saturday.
Hajduk Split 1-2 Rijeka
In what was surely the most exciting match of the week, Rijeka have entered Poljud and emerged as the winners in one of the most crucial matches of the season. Rijeka’s comeback victory sees them retake first in the HNL. Hajduk opened the scoring and held their 1-0 lead into the half thanks to a great strike from the American youngster Roko Pukštas. However, Rijeka dug deep and returned to the second half a different side, battering Hajduk with their dominant attacking play. Rijeka found their goals in Obregon and Selahi. After Rijeka’s second goal, Hajduk did wake up a little showing some fight in the dying minutes of the match. This however, was not enough as Rijeka were able to exit Poljud victorious and with the ever so important first place spot in their hands. After Sunday’s display very little could argue that Rijeka does not currently have the best attack in the HNL. Especially coupled with the rumors of former HNL goal machine, Mirko Marić, returning to the HNL to play for Rijeka. Hajduk find themselves in a far more challenging position, entering the Opus Arena on Saturday against an Osijek side determined to start clawing their way back into the fight at the top of the table. Both Hajduk and Osijek are bouncing off of two very different results, which will make Sunday’s clash all the more important and interesting.
Gorica 1-2 Lokomotiva
Lokomotiva’s second win this week helps them overtake Gorica in the 5th place spot in the HNL. Duje Čop, the hat trick hero for the Lokosi earlier in the week against Dinamo was able to rise to the occasion again, scoring the game winning penalty to allow Lokomotiva to leap frog Gorica into 5th place. The Lokosi, who similar to Gorica have attempted to be a more defensive minded squad have started the second half of their HNL campaign just the opposite. Lokomotiva have now scored 5 goals in their last 2 games, allowing their attack to speak for them, not their defense. Gorica and Lokomotiva who share the same number of points find themselves isolated, 3 points off top 4 and the upper half of the table but, 4 points clear of the bottom pack beneath them. With Gorica’s defense slowly losing its effectiveness, similar to that of Slaven’s from last season, it will be interesting to see how Gorica will handle this slump of form. As for the Lokosi, they face the opposite problem, can they use their new confidence to continue their form into the rest of 2024? Only time will tell, for as for now the middle of the HNL has gotten a lot more competitive.
It’s going to be a great rest of the season at the top of HNL. You have Rijeka with some very legit pros in Pjaca, Pašalić, Janković, Labrović, Matej Mitrović, and Smolčić. Then you have Hajduk with Livaja, Pukštas, Uremović, and now Brekalo and Nikola Kalinić and eventually Perišić. And finally Dinamo, a team that is stacked with talent and experience but probably suffering from poor tactical leadership considering that the starting lineup changes every match, with some of the better players benched frequently…
Wow, those were cracking goals by Rijeka. I thought that was a great throw-in by Smolcic for the equalizer although kromiza mentioned it could be illegal. I’m guessing a few of the Rijeka players might be of interest to clubs from the top leagues.
Exciting season so far in HNL.
I was expecting Hajduk to win this match, however you have to congratulate Rijeka they had more chances and deserved their win. The title race is wide open, and I would not discount Dinamo either.
With the spin on the throw in, I am saying that is an illegal throw in,on the first Rijeka goal. Terrible goal tending by Hajduk, on the 2nd Rijeka goal. oh well.
There is nothing in the Laws of the Game banning a “spin” on a throw-in. As long as the throw-in is properly executed, it’s irrelevant.
As a Hajduk fan, even I have to admit that Rijeka has a better all-around team now, minus Hajduk’s 3 additions this week.
Hadjuk rarely gives up goals, but gave up 3 at home today (one disallowed) in front of a packed house. Not sure what they were arguing about on the game winning goal.
From an HNL fan standpoint, it’s nice that the top 4 teams are good enough to beat each other on any given night. When was the last time you could EVER say that about the HNL?
“Hajduk Can Start To Separate”
You really need to stop being soo biased.
if they somehow win, wouldn’t that mean they would being to seperate.
Maybe it is your bias and not the authors
No it isn’t his bias. Spend more time on this site and it should register with you.
???
can you explain?
You’re the casual shit disturber that most sites have. Little understanding and no knowledge but a whole lotta shit talking!
🖕
English is not my first language but i think i have better command of it than you do.
Bias? You’re kissing me right?
If Hajduk, they would start separating themselves in the table from Rijeka and Dinamo. 100% mathematical fact.
Ante, you start watching this season or you making this comment based on the table and things you read?!
Hajduk “should” be 12 points ahead by now, Dinamo has been in trouble since the beginning of the season while Hajduk have had lots of luck in at least 3 games (winning when they should have lost or tied). Hajduk’s PR team has been working overtime, celebrating being in the lead and calling it “champions of the Fall” during the winter break…I’ve never ever heard of a team winning half the season but I guess Hajduk had different standards.
With all this said, I’d usually say I’m shocked Hajduk is tied for 1st place in the league…they truly should be way ahead of everyone, especially the worst Dinamo team I think I’ve seen in 25 years. Rijeka was much better than Hajduk was today and they also looked better than Hajduk in their other games but were very unlucky.
If Hajduk don’t win this season, I gotta say they should consider taking up lawn bowling. I’ve never in my life seen a team brag about being at the top of the table half way through the season as if it means anything. Loser attitude if you ask me.
Nadamo!