Round 11 of the 2021-22 Prva Liga season was nothing short of exciting. 25 goals were scored in the 5 matches played during the weekend, including Dinamo Zagreb’s 8-0 blowout over last place Hrvatski Dragovoljac and Rijeka’s thrilling 6-3 victory over Istra 1961.
Sitting in 7th place, Šibenik hosted 5th placed Gorica to open the round. Gorica’s 20 year-old Croatian Toni Fruk scored a brace to lead his side to a 2-1 victory. Antonio Marin, also 20 years of age, continued his outstanding form for Šibenik, assisting the only goal scored by the home side. Man of the match: Toni Fruk
Lokomotiva Zagreb, currently in 6th place, hosted 9th place Slaven Belupo on Saturday. The home side demolished Slaven’s defense, slotting three goals into the back of the net, winning 3-0. Slaven were unable to score against Lokomotiva in the eight shots they attempted. 18 year-old Croatian Lukas Kačavenda scored and assisted in his side’s victory, again proving his talent and potential. Sandro Kulenović and Silvio Goričan scored the other two goals for the Lokosi. Man of the match: Lukas Kačavenda
A total of nine goals were scored in Istra’s matchup against 1st place Rijeka. 8th placed Istra’s three goals were not enough to win the match, as Rijeka’s offense plummeted the Istra backline with six goals. Domagoj Pavičić recorded two goals for the Riječani, and 18 year-old Croatian Mateo Lisica scored his first goal for Istra. Man of the match: Domagoj Pavičić
Dinamo Zagreb, sitting behind Rijeka in 2nd place by one point with a game in hand, demolished Hrvatski Dragovoljac 8-0 at Maksimir. The Modri made Dragovoljac wish they were never promoted to the Prva Liga, outpassing them by nearly 500 passes and possessing the ball 76% of the match. Josip Mišić opened the scoreline with a fantastic free-kick goal. 19 year-old Croatian Marko Bulat scored the seventh goal for Dinamo Zagreb, and 18 year-old Croatian Martin Baturina assisted twice, proving why he should stay in Dinamo’s first team. Vatreni newcomer Luka Ivanušec also recorded a goal and as assist. Hrvatski Dragovoljac remain in last place. Man of the match: Luka Ivanušec
The last match of the action packed 11th round ended in a 1-1 tie between Osijek and Hajduk Split. Osijek opened the scoreline in the ninth minute thanks to a wondergoal scored by the Hungarian László Kleinheisler. Hajduk’s own Hungarian, Gergo Lovrencsics, answered in the 19th minute, assisted by 19 year-old Croatian striker Marin Ljubičić. The two sides split possession of the ball at 50%, yet Osijek recorded 10 more shots than Hajduk in the match. Hajduk’s goalkeeper Lovre Kalinić made seven saves to keep his side to a draw. Man of the match: Lovre Kalinić
Ivušić not available for Cyprus, per the HNS Twitter feed, Sluga to take his spot. Have to assume Livaković now the starter for Cyprus and potentially Slovakia?
This is worse news than you think.
Ivušić only got the start last round because of Livaković’s injury.
It was already a 50/50 chance (at best) that a healthy Ivušić gets the start over a healthy Livaković.
Ivušić being picked for this round (ahead of Livaković) was critical, in order for him to solidify his position and usurp Livaković for the #1 spot.
Now that Ivušić got injured, Livaković gets his original spot back and will likely remain as our #1 keeper moving forward.
Dalić will remain loyal, and it will take ALOT for him to make a change like this. The Livaković injury and awesome game by Ivušić against Slovakia (with Livaković’s struggles at club level) was the perfect storm to initiate a change.
Now things have settled down and Livaković will get the start… and we’ll need to see another perfect storm of events for a goalkeeper change.
Ivušić may have lost his chance.
I’m afraid you’re probably right about this
IV IV will be back fear not!
A guy does not come out of the gates with 2 consecutive shut outs then get banished for long.
Livakovic will screw up with his baby lamb ferocity in the 16,and ivusic the hungry lion will regain his rightful spot back on the throne I’m confident of that !!
I’m sure that Ivušić will be back ready to play, but will he be given the opportunity? That’s the problem. If Dalic waits for Livakovic to screw up before Ivušić gets another shot then:
a) we may end up loosing a critical game,
b) Ivušić misses out on game time to build his confidence and chemistry with the repka.
I sadly agree
We will have to watch the deer in the headlights let 5 goals in a game next in Qatar as well now
Again, I’m not saying ivusic is the answer, but i don’t think it’s livakovic Long term
Ivusic just has a presence you can’t teach
I would try mandzo in goal over livakovic(I’m only half kidding)
Just hope the top of the table stays tight like this. Nothing like watching HNL after the winter break when DZG has a 10-15 point cushion already.
Yes thats true and its also good that Hajduk is getting a result even if they didn’t deserve it. Hopefully they get some confidence and can help get a spot in Europe for next season.
Its crappy to watch Dinamo beat a team soo easily, I lost interest in the game quickly!
as per the attacks on Bjelica yesterday….Hajduk was extremely lucky to have tied that game, they were outclassed by a better team.
Hajduk fanboys are complete losers and in my opinion, anyone that wants to associate themselves with those idiots are idiots themselves. Not long ago (I think last season) we watched an complete idiot run onto the field during a game with a stick, attempting to beat a ref. Those fans attack their players in the city, again, last year one of the players was attacked. Some guys get threats on their family, the fanboy Torcidasi demand meetings with the players and coaching staff. I’ve never in my life seen such animals and those are not real fans….they’re punks but they’re given credibility because thats all Hajduk has going for them….they boast their membership because they have zero else to be proud of.
Only idiots would attack a man like they did to Bjelica…its fucking embarassing to see and read about!
Man shut up you guys got punked by SPAM supporters in Zagreb. How many went to the hospital?
Cosmopolitan Zagreb Yugos
“Cosmopolitan Zagreb Yugos” – so you defend hooligans and idiots and then throw out the “Imma bigger Hrvat” argument…typical!
Hajduk are idiotic.
They may need a coach in the future, and they pretty much just closed the door to a good one in Bjelica (if he ever leaves Osijek).
I’m not sold on this Šveđanin, and I think if they finish in their fourth spot again, he will be on the hotseat after failing to do anything this season (in both HNL and Europe) with a better squad than the previous coach.
https://sportske.jutarnji.hr/sn/nogomet/hnl/hajduk-zbog-navijaca-platio-triput-vise-nego-svi-ostali-klubovi-zajedno-a-sad-mu-stize-rekordna-kazna-15107531
they must be proud of this”
“HAJDUK ZBOG NAVIJAČA PLATIO TRIPUT VIŠE NEGO SVI OSTALI KLUBOVI ZAJEDNO”!!!
Great article, would love to see this every week.
Hajduk fans have insulted Nenad Bjelica after the game in Osijek, calling him a Serb while Bjelica is half Montenegrin, half Hrvati.
Some people somehow always find a way to ridicule themselves.
Stay klassy, Hajduk.