After the week long hiatus of the HNL due to the international break, we have returned for more drama back home in the domestic league. With the transfer market officially closed and the dust settled, teams will begin to fall into form which will determine the course of their respective seasons. With the window over, clubs are now scrambling to size up new signings’ abilities immediately. While some clubs are seeing their early season’s success fade away, others are seeing their transfer pays off in the table right away.
Hajduk vs Gorica (1-2)
Hajduk Split cemented themselves as the team to beat in the first month of the season, however, after the last two rounds that status is in real jeopardy. In the last two rounds of HNL play, Hajduk have lost both matches to mid-table sides Istra and Gorica. Yes, Hajduk are still 2/2 against top-4 sides, but these two losses have shown dents in the armor of their title charge. With Osijek yet to play Dinamo and Rijeka anxious to get their revenge, what situation does this leave Hajduk in? Despite losing the game, Hajduk did well in the initial stages of the match. Šarlija grabbed the opening goal of the match 62 minutes in and put Hajduk on the scoresheet. However, in the last 10 minutes of the game, Hajduk absolutely imploded. In the 86th minute, Gorica found their equalizer through left-back Dino Štiglec. It took the Goričani just 6 more minutes to find their winner from super-sub Ante Matej Jurić. Gorica’s thrilling victory now sees Dinamo and Rijeka within two points of Hajduk, while Gorica takes 4th place from Osijek.
Dinamo vs Slaven (3-0)
Dinamo allowed themselves to cruise through Slaven with an easy 3-0 win. Alongside this, Bayern loanee and new signing, Gabrijel Vidović, got his first goal in his HNL campaign. Bruno Petković continued his excellent form for Dinamo in the match recording both a goal and assist. The third goal for Dinamo was found from an own-goal. With European group stages starting this week, Dinamo took full advantage of the weekend knowing their schedule will be getting busy shortly. Dinamo sit two points behind Hajduk with a game in hand as well. After the departure of star player Ante Crnac and their manager Ricardo Moniz, Slaven have been struggling to generate offense and goals. If this pattern is to continue, the Koprivnica-based team could be in serious trouble this season.
Rijeka vs Osijek (2-1)
The story of the weekend was the absence of a player for one team and the appearance for the other. While Osijek played the match without their midfield maestro, Mijo Caktaš, Rijeka got to show off new signing Marko Pjaca. While Osijek never looked a serious threat in the game, Rijeka struggled to capitalize from their chances…except for one man: Marko Pjaca. Pjaca netted both goals against Osijek with two beautiful finishes. Rijeka not only found a win but entirely dominated the match at the Rujevica on Saturday. Rijeka held 54% percent possesion and had 26 shots compared to Osijek’s 6. While Osijek did get a goal back through Petar Pušić, they never truly threatened Rijeka at all during the match. Pjaca’s two goals stole the show as the former Croatian international showed why he was such a prospect back in his prime before seriously injuring his knee twice. Remember, he was a Juventus player once upon a time in 2016. Osijek sit in a far more uncertain spot compared to Rijeka. With Gorica’s win against Hajduk, Osijek have fallen from 2nd to 5th in two match weeks. After their controversial loss to Dinamo last round, Rijeka sit 2nd level on points with Dinamo.
Lokomotiva vs Rudeš (1-0)
In another Zagreb Derby this season, Rudeš faced off against the Lokosi on Saturday. Rudeš sit on only one point so far this season and had their last realistic chance for a win the first quarter of the HNL. Despite their best efforts to fend off Lokomotiva, they still ended up falling short with a 1-0 loss. While Lokomotiva still hang around the lower mid-table region, their two wins against both Rudeš and Slaven will hopefully allow them to create separation from the bottom two sides this season. Lokomotiva won the game from a loan goal scored by Albanian, Indrit Tuci.
Varaždin vs Istra (1-0)
With the lone penalty goal being the decider between Varaždin and Istra, this tight mid-table mashup provided a lot of entertainment. Igor Postonojski was the hero for Varaždin with his penalty goal. After a VAR check, Varaždin were given the penalty that ended up being the match decider. Statistically both teams lacked quality on the offensive front as they both only had one shot on target. Ante Erceg was ineligible from the match due to yellow cards, this could be a reason why Istra struggled to generate offense. With Fran Brodić now a Dinamo Zagreb player on loan at Varaždin, the question on everyone’s mind will be: Can he resume his form or will he be too focused on his future in Zagreb?
Baka
Z
Josip
Davor
Ivan
Mile
That’s the leaven list, and if left unchecked can corrupt the whole Hrvatska gruda.
You see, you just can’t call the majority “morons” and pretend you’re not a parasite, because that’s proof that you are a parasite.
Bog i Hrvati
ŽAP
=U=
Feyenoord coach after the match stated that Ivanusec suffered an ankle injury and that it was badly swollen. Bad news, but at least it is not the knee.
Hopefully just sprained ligaments which should keep him out for a few weeks ?
The guy was having an insane 2023.
Hopefully he gets back to his previous form before the Euros.
I knew Croatians had back backs but boy do we have bad knees too🤦♂️
F*ck
Ivanusec stretchered off 87 minute
Grabbed right ankle right after he fell – but when he was on the ground – he started grabbing his left knee
Looks to be in terrible pain
Yes I was watching as well, initially it looked like an ankle injury, however on the reply it looks like it is the left knee. Terrible news.
Halftime, Red Star Belgrade playing at Man City. Shots are 22-1 for Man City, and it’s 1-0 Red Star. Another reason soccer is infuriating at times. Man City will probably pop in 4 or 5 goals in the second half.
It would be nice if this site was a discussion about soccer, and didn’t include self righteous political and religious spouting morons. Sheesh.
Unfortunately, a league that is run as a clearinghouse for Croatia talent, I imagine it is hard to build a team for any long period of time. Teams that build a consistent mid-level talented team, that work together, without superstars have the clear advantage it would seem.
we believe in Jesus
……………………………
– we believe Jesus is the son of Mary
– we believe Jesus is the messiah sent by God
– we believe in all his miracles as well
but we believe that all the miracles were by the Creator!
– we just don’t believe Jesus is God and
nor do we believe Jesus is the son of God
………………………………………………..
this is also the teaching of Jesus
Jesus said –> to worship the father
that He is the true God
– we do not believe in the crucifixion
that would be another big difference
| Jesus is not God
| Jesus is not the son of God
because we don’t believe Almighty God has children
the Almighty God is different than His own creation
| Jesus was not crucified
we believe that it appeared as if
He was crucified but it wasn’t
Honestly, you need to stop posting. None of what your saying had any bearing on anything, either related to Croatian soccer, or Croatian beliefs and faith.
pure monotheism
—————————-
meaning we worship God alone
without any partners –
there is no Trinity
we don’t believe in the concept of the Trinity
we believe at the time of Jesus that there was a gospel given to Jesus, but after Jesus was no longer with us –> now it’s the gospel according to Paul, according to Matthew, according to John, according to Luke ….
it’s not the same gospel that Jesus had!!
so we believe the teachings of Christianity are not based on the teachings of Jesus-
It’s based on the teaching of Paul.
I lived in the house under Pjacas left elbow
We are all hoping pjaca tears it up sets the league on fire 🔥 then gets into the form of his life in a bigger league …BUT it’s never actually happened has it ?
I can’t think of even one can’t miss younger prospect who has come back home and then prosper in another bigger league later on ??
Luka Modrić and King Vida
Next two weeks are critical for Leko and Hajduk. On the weekend they play Lokomotiva and the week later Dinamo both at home. Two loses or even a draw and a loss will in all probability spell the end of Leko as the coach and end the clubs dream of winning the league title. Rumors are that successful youth team coach Budimir will take over.
The other problem is that Livaja is not in the best of form and is not scoring from some presentable chances in front of goal. Will see what happens in the next two weeks but things are not looking good at Hajduk after such a promising start to the season after winning the first 5 matches.
Music to my ears about Livaja.
I feel bad for Hajduk and I want them to succeed, but not at the National Team’s expense (which I think Livaja is a liability to).
I am glad Bruno is having a good year and looking like he’s taking that next step in his career, but I really want us to start slowly integrating guys like Musa/Beljo/Roko for World Cup 2026. I think one of them will probably break out over the next three years, and (at least) be a decent striker for us.
As comical as it may seem, I think Dalic would still opt for a 33 year-old Livaja up top for the next World Cup, so I want that option to be ripped away from him by force. If that means Livaja going on a serious goal drought (and it causing Hajduk to drop in the standings) then so be it.
The league is fixed, which I am fine with because it benefits Dinamo. The league being rigged will actually help Hajduk next week. If Hajduk falls right now that means all the attention from fans and media goes away and then nobody pays attention to HNL. The league will ensure that doesn’t happen right now.
Hajduk to me resembles former US president Trump. A big mess, but a big mess that draws attention and false hope.
The league is no more fixed than most European leagues now.
Croatia will always have to fight off the reputation of being a corrupt state, so the default setting will be that their footall league is corrupt. Yet many will ignore the constant fixing scandals that are widespread in ‘civilized’ countries like Germany and Belgium.
Funny thing is Ivan Leko was involved in the Belgian one, ha ha.
Yes. I have wondered how he escaped that with little punishment. Might be the reason he left for China. Typical from dalmatinci. They always try scams. Anyone who has visited to dalmatian coast will know that.
I’m always on the coast.
Not sure what scams you’re referring to.
You need to relax and get your head out of Peđa Grbin’s ass.
SDP and Yugoslavia is dead. It’s not coming back.
Fuck off Davor you prick
I second Suba’s motion! I am starting to question who this guy Davor is and what exactly he stands for.
Oh ye the United States is doing great right now lol. Anyway yes HNL games have been fixed just like games have been fixed in many other countries.
US is shit. Their current president looks dead. and the top contender from the other side is a cartoon.
I think Cro911 meant MLS Soccer in his thread. Not really sure what the American Presidency has to do within the context of this conversation. Let’s leave the politics out of the conversation bud.