Hajduk vs Osijek (0-2)
Zoran Zekić starts his campaign back with Osijek with a 2-0 win over rivals Hajduk at Poljud. Osijek tactically understood the job they had to do to get points against a Hajduk side that currently played like the stronger side. Zekić opted for a more defensive approach allowing Hajduk to come at Osijek on the attack while the Bijelo-Plavi absorbed the pressure and countered when needed. Mierez was a main part of the Osijek counter, he received many long balls and created set pieces for Osijek by drawing fouls out of the Hajduk defenders who marked him. While Hajduk statistically dominated the game, having 16 shots and 63% possession, they never made use of the chances they had. Out of all 16 of their shots not a single was on target. At some points the Hajduk attack felt relentless, wave after wave of pressure but for Hajduk fans unfortunately nothing to show for it. In contrast the pace that Osijek attacked with was short, but blistering and ruthless. Brlek scored the first goal for Osijek in a mere 16 seconds after the whistle was blown to start the second half. Bosnian U-21 player Nail Omerović sealed the game off when he weaved through defenders firing off a shot that hit the post, then deflected off Lučić and rolled into the back off the net. Osijek nearly made the game 3-0 in the dying minutes when Hajduk defender Diallo took out an Osijek player gunning for the goal. This foul gave Lovrić a dangerous freekick that hit the post, a certain goal just inches away from hitting the top right corner. While Hajduk was not on top of their game Sahiti was probably the best player of the night for Hajduk. When he decided to be creative, the Hajduk offense was creative, if Sahiti tried to play more aerially so did the rest of the team. With Livaja on the bench for the first half he took the spot as the engine and driving force for the Hajduk attack. Hajduk’s loss sees them go on a two game losing streak, both games against fellow Top-4 opponents. Rokas Pukštas also returned for his first match since week two due to a knee injury. While he is an influential player for Hajduk his match fitness showed as he was not at the level that he is capable of being at. While the Hajduk title charge took off fast it is safe to say now that Hajduk are realizing this title is going to have to be earned not won. As for Osijek, having lost against against both Rijeka and Dinamo already a win against Hajduk as another Top-4 side solidifies them back into a being a formidable threat. Osijek sit in 5th now breathing down the necks of the top 4 sitting a point behind Dinamo in third, three points behind Hajduk in second, and five behind Rijeka at the summit.
Gorica vs Dinamo (2-1)
Gorica’s comeback victory over Dinamo was spurred on by giant killer Ante Matej Jurić, who has scored the winning goal in extra time against Hajduk and Dinamo this season. Those winning goals are the only goals that Jurić has to his name so far this season. This loss to Gorica today means that in the two meetings between Dinamo and Gorica, Dinamo have managed to grab only a single point out of the possible six. Gorica has proven to be thorn to the Top-4 clubs, having only lost one game against them (Osijek back in August). A positive for Dinamo is that club legend, Arijan Ademi got his first goal for Dinamo since returning from China. Dinamo on the statistical side were the far better side. Dinamo boasted an impressive 65% possesion, 23 shots, and a 87% percent success rate in passing. According to SofaScore Dinamo had 2.31 xG compared to Gorica’s 0.75. But, at the end of the day football isn’t about math, but rather what happens out on the pitch. Gorica got the win they needed even if it wasn’t what some would call “pretty”.
Rijeka vs Istra (1-1)
Rijeka remains at the top despite a slight scare in dropping points against 9th place Istra. Despite sitting far down the table on a low 8 points, Istra has gotten half of those points by being a pest to top half clubs. Istra’s draw today sees them grab a point against Rijeka now alongside their 1-0 win against Hajduk earlier this season. While Rijeka fans worried that their status of being at the top was going to be cut short after the draw today, Hajduk’s defeat allows Rijeka to retain their spot. This draw does little for Istra as they stay within the same number of points from relegation zone side Rudeš. Niko Janković grabbed his sixth goal this season in the draw as he continues to a formidable opponent for any defenses this season in the HNL. However, a ball sliced across the box to the back post where Mlinar was waiting changed the outcome of the game to shared points for both sides.
Rudeš vs Slaven Belupo (0-0)
Rudeš grabbed their second point so far in this campaign in yet another 0-0 draw. Matej Marković was the hero for Rudeš keeping a clean sheet and recording five saves in the match. Despite going into the match hoping for a win, Slaven can feel happy going 7/9 on available points in their last three games. Slaven’s goal keeper, Ivan Sušak, was almost equally as impressive with three saves for himself. In the league this draw does very little to change the shake up of the league as both Slaven and Rudeš stay in the same spot in the league. However, for Rudeš this draw is more inspiring as a point is worth celebrating in their very dismal campaign so far. Overall, this was a match of defenses and goalkeepers who rose to the occasion for each of their clubs respectfully.
Lokomotiva vs Varaždin (0-0)
Lokomotiva and Varaždin settled for yet another scoreless draw this week. Similar to the Rudeš Slaven game, the match was contested between two goalkeepers. Nikola Čavalina, the goalkeeper for Lokomotiva and Oliver Zelenika, the goalkeeper for Varaždin. Čavalina and Zelenika both had five saves in the match, showing both goalies ability to protect the net. Similar to the Rudeš Slaven gam, the 0-0 draw had no affect on either clubs spot in the HNL standings. Varaždin top scorer Fran Brodić who did not play against Lokomotiva arguably could have been an X-factor type of player. With both Brodić and Šego out against the Lokosi, the Varaždin attack seemingly grinded to a halt. Despite this, the match was a fairly evenly contested game that was a fair splitting of points in Varaždin.
Armenia game is in maksmir it would have been empty anyway because that stadium is a dump and why would people wait in if its cold and rainy get a psemunia hahaha.
we are looking forward the best goal scorer ever ~
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Q18E-WcL4Ag
shame on Dalic that he still keeps his eyes closed
Looks like no home fans for the qualifier against Armenia in November.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CywJimDNPoQ/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Yeah, but it’s not official, yet……….
What did they do in Osijek that was so bad?
Just being proud Hrvati is enough I guess. 😔
Have no idea why you would sing Ustase songs at matches knowing well that we will get sanctioned by UEFA. I can only think that it was done deliberately so that HNS gets sanctioned
i.e. no crowd at next home match v Armenia.
These are not fans but individuals who have an agenda to deliberately hinder our beloved Vatreni and make it as difficult as possible for us to qualify for EURO’s and future World Cups.
What song did they sing?
Honestly, it’s getting ridiculous how any alleged infraction becomes a ban for us, but others are off the hook for actually interrupting games.
Has Armenia been penalized for actually interrupting our match with them when they flew a greater Armenia flag via a drone?
Has Romania been penalized with their Kosovo is Srbija banners (causing the Kosovo team to leave the field)?
Personally, I don’t care what flags or banners the Armenians and Romanians wave…but why is it that we get banned almost immediately for anything (even when it’s obviously a deliberate attempt at sabotage, like the Rijeka incident that got overturned).
Google is your friend.
Doesn’t help that the HNS is being fans to spy on other Croatian fans during games.
meant to say the HNS is paying fans to spy on other fans.
So the HNS is paying people to spy on other fans…
which results in a UEFA charge against the HNS…
that the HNS ends up appealing and fighting UEFA on?
Yes. The HNS is trying to stop any chants, songs or flags that cause fines. They have people in the stands and their only job is to identify people with any questionable flags. They also have the HNS sponsored fan group their to drown out any Ustase songs or chants.
Leko just got fired!
https://www.instagram.com/p/CywL6vQN-Uf/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
No surprise. Here’s his replacement.
If Dalic doesn’t get the full 6 points next month…does he get fired too?
I think he will have until the end of the euro qualifying cycle…if we don’t qualify he will get fired, or more likely resign.
If we do not qualify Dalic will resign and rightly so.
Anyone know the status of Lukas Kacavenda?
knee surgery
how long is he expected to be out for? acl tear?
9 months
Caught some of Istra-Rijeka match at parents’ place. There was a shot of Dalic, Corluka and Olic checking out the action.
Weird Nik Janković will get called up
Probably him and Pasalic
It would be funny if Dalić goes through that Niko Kovač phase where he keeps capping a new Rijeka player every round.
Would help if his brother was an agent with a few Rijeka players like the other Kovac