Rijeka 3-0 Osijek
Rijeka held their spot at the top by making quick work out of Osijek on Sunday in a statement match that ended 3-0. Veldin Hodža was crucial for Rijeka on the night grabbing himself a hattrick, bringing his goal tally up to five this season. It is no surprise with performances like that to understand why he is a real prospect for Croatia and has gotten the attention of not only Dalić but the Kosovan national team as well who are keen to bring them into their camp as well. Overall Hodža is just one piece of this Rijeka attack that can show up on any night. Meawhile, Osijek who are the second best attack in the HNL this season in terms of goals scored struggled to find footing without Mierez up top. The top goalscorer in Osijek and the HNL stayed back in Osijek most likely due to knee complications that have been affecting him in the past weeks. Osijek turned to youngster and up-and-coming talent Anton Matković for a striker but, was unable to make an impact. As for Rijeka their potent attack sees them maintain their spot at the summit of the HNL for the 6th week in a row now, placing them as the team to beat this season. With 10 games remaining and the HNL more competitive then ever, it has seemingly become Rijeka’s title to lose.
Gorica 0-3 Hajduk
Hajduk made quick work of a Gorica side that has been slipping down the table since the return of the HNL in January. Hajduk’s victory sees them keep pace with Rijeka, only one point off their spot at the top of the league. Benrahou was the star for Hajduk on Saturday, grabbing himself both a goal and an assist against Gorica. Hajduk’s win allows them to stay ever so close to Rijeka, with 10 games left this season it is starting to seem like the title will come to who blinks first. But for now Hajduk can celebrate a dominant win against Gorica on the road at the Stadion Velika. As for Gorica, this comes as their third loss in a row, marking an embarrassing skid of games for the Goričani. Gorica have conceded 9 goals in their last 3 games, losing to Dinamo and Hajduk expectedly, but lost to the punching bag of the league in Rudeš 2-1 last week. It is safe to say now that Gorica’s backline is struggling to keep them in matches, their lack of goalscoring is starting to come back to haunt them.
Dinamo 5-2 Slaven
Dinamo continue their red-hot run of form as they continue to surge back up the table. Dinamo put on a brilliant attacking performance on Sunday, albeit at the cost of two goals for Slaven. While Slaven did initially put up a fight, clawing back from a 2-0 deficit and erasing Dinamo’s lead to a 2-2 draw, the Farmaceuti could not hold on. Baturina rescued Dinamo with 2 goals after Slaven’s initial comeback to bring Dinamo a 5-2 victory. Baturina’s excellent display on Sunday will be yet another match to add to his resume heading into the Euro’s this summer. Dinamo still have more ground to make up, sitting five points off the top and with a game in hand. Last week’s 1-1 draw with Osijek saw Dinamo escape with a point in the dying minutes keeping their title hopes within reach. Balancing a possible run in the Conference League with the HNL title race will be difficult for Dinamo but, it is manageable for Dinamo if they can play their cards right.
Varaždin 2-2 Istra
Goals: Istra- Moris Valinčić (43′), Matej Vuk (83′) Varaždin- Dimitar Mitrovski (16′), Marko Dabro (30′)
Lokomotiva 3-0 Rudeš
Goals: Mateo Marić (57′), Marin Šotiček ( 71′, 79′)
The best part of HNL is the % of Croats who start for these teams.
9 out of 11 starters for each team in the Rijeka vs Osijek match were Croats. Similar numbers in the Dinamo vs Slaven match.
When you’re starting lineups consist of 80-90% Croats (especially young ones) you’ll always increase your chances of developing new talent.
12 months ago, nobody was talking about Petar Sucic and Veldin Hozda. Now they’re both looking great and even our “established” youngsters who are already on the senior National Team (like Luka Sucic and Marco Pasalic) have to be on their toes or else the next guy will pass them by.
Good to see that we have two good CDM options for the future in Dinamo’s Sucic and Rijeka’s Hodza.
Nailed it.
Rijeka still looks the strongest team by far. Dinamo and Hajduk having shaky moments week in and week out
I think Hodza is eligible to play for Kosovo, since he’s of Gorani descent
Luka with another quiet day for Real. https://www.managingmadrid.com/2024/3/10/24096186/player-ratings-real-madrid-4-0-celta-vigo-2024-la-liga
Yup…he’s still on top of his game. Would be a shame if he retired. I think we’re in for a treat this summer. He looks hungry.
He’s not going anywhere for now
He’s always been the underdog guy being small, being Croatian
He loves to play, he has his next 40 years to rest
He is healthy
This is not 2018, but he’s got the genes, he’s got the passion
I think he will know when he is truly done
If he wanted money he would have taken it years ago
He has the passion of a kid to play
King luka… take us to the promised land
I wonder if luka wants raketa This summer??
If somehow raketa and luka could split a match
If kova goes missing… having raketa in there is tempting
Plus between luka and the rocket they could swap off each other as one could stay more forward to catch breath and one could stay back and such
Agreed 👍
Good call the guys who called-out Hodzka yesterday as one to watch
Today – hat trick (the finishing on his 2nd and 3rd goal was excellent)
@Davor
As previewed HNS asked / Rijeka listened to “load manage” Pjaca (only 74′ today)
Of course Rijeka listened – otherwise no more Vatreni games in Rijeka – and they can just not call up Hodzka – and Rijeka won’t be able to sell him for big $$$ (feel free to research how many of the largest $$$ Croatian transfers did not get capped for the National Team beforehand) – you can start w/ Kramaric (Rijeka record transfer 9m euro) who got capped a few times before the big $$$ move to Leicester
😉
Yes, I wondered if the match had already happened when they were calling hozda!
We will need a capable cdm maybe even for next World Cup to take over depending on how broz keeps up form