Lovre Nikolac reporting live from Poljud, Hajduk Split faces off against Slaven Belupo in the SuperSport HNL 7th round. The Split side have a chance to take the top spot after losing it shortly after Osijek beat Dinamo Zagreb on Saturday.
Hajduk (4-2-3-1): Silić – Acapandié, Marešić, Raçi, Hrgović – Del Moral, Pajaziti – Bamba, Dalisson, Šotiček – Šego
Slaven Belupo (4-2-3-1): Sentić – Grgić, Božić, Kovačić, Išasegi – Bošnjak, Adeshina – Dabro, Mažar, Mitrović – Nestorovski
1′ The match has started after a minute of silence for Hajduk legend Ivan Gudelj.
6′ Michele Šego with a great look on goal after a Bamba cross from the right-hand side; the Hajduk top goalscorer just misses the ball, and the chance goes begging.
13′ Adrion Pajaziti is cautioned after hitting Leon Bošnjak in the face as he was shielding the ball.
14′ Toni Silić makes a big save to stop Josip Mitrović from inside the box. Hajduk quickly counters and scores; Šego gets on the end of an off-target Šimun Hrgović shot from the left side of the box, but the Hajduk striker was offside. The score remains 0-0.
22′ GOAL HAJDUK! Dalisson de Almeida gives the lead to Hajduk Split! A great cross from Bamba as he finds an unmarked Dali in the middle of the box, who does well to head it down to the bottom left corner. Sentić gets a hand to it, but not enough.
34′ Bamba stole a misplaced pass from Slaven’s goalie, Sentić, and was through with just the goalkeeper to beat, but his first touch was too hard and allowed Sentić to make up for his mistake.
40′ Bamba tries to play through Pajaziti, but his pass is deflected into Marin Šotiček, who had a phenomenal chance; however, his shot ended up getting blocked just enough as the ball went slowly past the target.
Half-time! The score is still 1-0, with the sole goal from Dalisson de Almeida.
46′ Second half has begun, the home crowd is roaring to go.
61′ Attendance: 15064. No highlights for now in the 2nd half. Two substitutions for Hajduk: Fayad comes on instead of Del Moral, and Carlos Martin comes on for Šotiček.
69′ Dalisson floats in a cross back from the byline inside the box, finds Martin all alone 6 meters out, but the Spanish attacker shoots way over the target.
71′ Adam Huram is subbed on for Bamba.
77′ Filip Mažar is SENT OFF! The young Slaven midfielder gets a 2nd yellow for a foul on Huram, and he’s off for an early shower.
80′ Marko Livaja enters the pitch as Michele Šego makes way. Applause from all around the stadium for both, but mainly Livaja.
FULL-TIME! Hajduk Split win 1-0!
https://www.flashscore.com/news/soccer-bundesliga-huge-crowd-expected-in-hamburg-as-cult-hero-vuskovic-returns-from-long-doping-suspension/8ENs64iI/
Would be amazing if Mario kills it
He is my pick for the guy who makes the team like the random hnl guy we didn’t know about till now
Sucic cousins in the middle the vuks at the back
Anon picking his nose and picking us to win 2030
If Bilic listens to Anonymous on how to build a BALANCED squad (and not pepper CAM/#10s all around the field – with zero OOP abilities – like Dalic/Crnkovic is suggesting) than yes we can win the WC in 2030
Skafar-Zuzic is the real deal – he’s already elite in some attributes – my fear is DZ try to buy him in the winter (already news Orsic getting kicked out in winter – unless he starts producing) and then it all goes pear shape
He needs to stay at Istra until he’s ready for a bigger league/club – that’s why it would be great if Istra can qualify for Europe next year – so he gets that increased competition in Europe (even if Conference League)
Tttenham U21 demolish DZ U21 3-1 in the PL International Cup today
Croatia U19 Bakovic with the goal
Demolish lol. Scoring 3 goals at any level is a mighty achievement for that club.
The senior team is abysmal at scoring goals (1 in 5 games) – Anonymous can’t even watch them – they are not firing in the final 3 at all
You’re a fucking fraud pretending to be a man of ethics and integrity letting your bitch maminjo post homophobic comments, blatant lies about hrgovic being American his snide comments about Canada being a 51st state yet when someone decides to post about your deranged pedophiles who lead your joke of a country you censor it?
You’re a spineless cuck!
Mario Vuskovic 1st day training – 7500 fans showed up to chant his name
Franjo doesn’t have a manager again – Toppmiller FIRED – not again – poor Franjo
Newcastle 60M bid for Luka Sucic in winter ? Can’t see him in the PL, but maybe he can prove us all wrong and make it work
Beljo scared of Igor still – decided to stay at home – and not play in Europa game
The 60M amount is just the release clause in his contract. Newcastle aren’t saying that they are going to bid that amount for Luka Sucic.
He’s not worth that amount. That amount is Baturina and Petar Sucic level right now (but I expect those two to clear 75M very soon).
If Newcastle are interested, he’s probably in the 15-18M area right now…but this will go up if he continues to score and finishes the season as strong as he’s currently playing.
Would be a great replacement for Tonali or Bruno G.
If Petar were English he’d easily demand 75. Look at Elliot Anderson.
You’re right – it was the release clause figure – I’m sure Sociedad would let him go for less – I don’t think he has shown from his NT performances that he could play in the PL (Pero 100%, Bati 90%) – I don’t think he has enough OOP attributes (running, work rate, defensive responsibility etc etc etc) to make it there – probably agent just agenting
To show how out of control Kotarski really is – on the 4th goal – beyond the stupid sliding out at the half way line – then he ran back and uselessly ran back and slide aimlessly with his hands raised – if the ball hit him he would have gotten a red card – I really think he was trying for a red card in both those tackles on the same play – to miss the next game – there was zero point in the 2nd tackle, the only thing that might have happened is ball hits his hands by he’s outside of the box so red card
He’s done this before.
He had a bad Champions League run with his Danish club and I’m not too sure about him. Ever since he made those comments about becoming the #1 for Croatia, he completely fell apart.
Pandur should probably be ahead of him right now, and we really should also be looking at our other options as well like Letica, Kahlina, Delac, or Toni Silic’s older brother (Josip) who is doing well at Varazdin.
Doing a deep dive into backup goalkeepers is probably not a high priority, so it will probably just be Kotarski and Pandur for the next several years.
Nepo nephew Ivo, the data analyst guy and the new goalkeeping coach should be able to work on scanning the keeper universe with fresh pair of eyes – just calling up the same 3 comes across as lazy – maybe they have and that’s the 3 names that still come up as best – but as you say I doubt they actually did the work (just a hunch)
btw the DZ penalty should have been retaken – there was encroachment into the box by one (or two) of the DZ players – every game they still get calls their way – unreal
Guys – after Anonymous’ seal of approval – everyone jumping on the Vrbancic bandwagon 😉 – Anonymous has updated their their infamous Euro 2028 / WC 2030 starting line-up (it’s been about a 1.5 years since Anonymous first created it – a few changes – many of you in la la land couldn’t see ahead/grasp the concept – that’s why you are MORONS) – but there is the latest (age at start of tournament in ()) – this team can WIN the World Cup 2030 (which has always been Anonymous’ prediction) – it’s not just names to paper – it’s a perfectly balanced and complementary team – it might be the BEST Croatia starting XI in terms of balance and complementary strengths across the field – to this we need a Liam Claude Kante as part of the squad (don’t @ me – we NEED a Kante) – the line-up below is spooky in how well it works – it’s like God is looking down on Croatia and created all these individual pieces that together create a crazy good collective starting XI – based on watching for Skafar-Zuzic for 45 minutes last weekend (like really watching his movement) and seeing the highlights from the 2nd half (his shot in the 62′ a la Raheem Sterling) he is an elite elite talent – can’t believe he’s Croatian – we’ve never had a player like him – God has to bless him/us by keeping his knees healthy (please God – you’ve tormented us with the knee injuries on so so many prospects over and over again – just please keep Skafar-Zuzic’s knees safe and healthy)
To repeat – the below can win the World Cup in 2030 (I don’t care what any other country has – won’t matter) – which Anonymous has predicted two years ago
4-2-3-1
Keeper
LB TBD
Josko (26 / 28)
Vuskovic (21 / 23)
Stanisic (28 / 30)
Vrbancic (22 / 24) [sits deeper]
Pero (24 / 26) [sits slightly forward]
Skafar-Zuzic [touchline winger] (19 / 21)
Baturina (25 / 27)
Jagusic [inside forward] (22 / 24) [assumes Jaga > Luka Sucic or Segecic]
Igor (25 / 27)
P.S. if a RB that can bomb down the wing [given Jagusic is an inside-forward] to provide width and make over-lapping runs past/with Jaga – then Stanisic can flip to the LB [which may actually profile better/complement better having Skafar-Zuzic on that side better in any event] – Noa Mikic if he improves his defence could be perfect for that right-side (in his ability to get forward) if he improves his defence – he’ll only be 21 / 23 y/o in 2028/2030
So we are basically missing one FB piece (like Noa Mikic) from the puzzle and we can easily win the World Cup in 2030
Liva will be 33 and 35 y/o – so I guess he can be keeper – if he starts for Barca all these years too
In the previous version of Anonymous’ starting XI – Luka Sucic and Lovro Zvonarek where in midfield [Pero was still a bench piece] – so Pero and Vrbancic coming in are MASSIVE upgrades – also had Marco Pasalic [Jaga will be a massive upgrade] and believe it or not Buik as the LW placeholder [Skafar-Zuzic is 100x better]
P.P.S.
Please keep eyes on Croatian newspapers – 1000% they will rip off the above from Anonymous and publish it as they own – how could they not – it’s the most BRILLIANT piece of analysis that has ever come out of a Croatian mind – post the newspaper article here when they do so we can have a laugh!
Here is my predicted line-up for 2028 euros FINAL (against England)
Followed by my predicted line up for the 2030 World Cup final (against Cape Verde)
Livaković;
Stanisic, vuskovic, gvardiol, hrgovic;
Kovacic, p Sucic;
L Majer, Stojkovic, baturina;
Matanovic
Pandur;
Barisic, vuskovic, gvardiol, hrgovic;
Vrbancic, p Sucic;
Jaga, Stojkovic, baturina;
Fran topic
We should back solve from 2030 i.e. what is the line-up in their prime in 2030 and let them play in 2028 to build up chemistry/muscle memory, etc together (nb the generation that went to the final in 2018 played together since 2008 i.e. for a decade)
I thought about Barisic – but who knows how he’ll come back from his ACL – some players just are never the same after a big injury (see Valincic)
2028 2nd 3 of Majer, Stojko, Baturina is a wild take – they are too similar in profile (with Majer and Stojko being Baturina-lites) and completely ignored that Majer and Stojko have zero OOP attributes (Baturina has OOP attributes – not the best – but at least they are there) – so no – we can’t put three CAM/#10s who all want to be creators/passers for others across those three with none of them (save Bati) having any OOP capabilities – that would give us ZERO balance up front – come on – you know this better than Anonymous! (I know Dalic loves peppering CAMs all over the pitch but there is no balance and it just gets congested centrally)
Does Spain put CAMs on the winger ? No Further, do they have identical winger profiles on both sides ? Of course not – that’s the inspiration for putting Jaga at “RW” (Lamal slot) and putting Skafar-Zuzic at “LW” (Nico Williams slot) providing us width – if it’s good enough for Spain – it’s good enough for Anonymous – this would give us BALANCE – and would worth well with Bati in the central slot (Dani Olmo slot) – that’s how we need to build a side
I thought Fran Topic was being used as RW by DZ mostly ? Wild take that he’s going to surpass Igor by 2030
Based on Max Dowman highlights today – I think Skafar-Zuzic is some combo of Raheem Sterling (sans laughing gas/driving conviction) X Nico Williams X Max Dowman – Skafar-Zuzic is very very similar to Max Dowman if we think about it (albeit S-Z is a year older)
Šilić u reprezentaciju? Znači vama je u redu igrat s golman koji ima dvi live noge.
Luka Vrbancic has been outstanding this season for Osijek in HNL. Dinamo initially loaned him out, before selling him to Osijek for 250 K and an on-sell clause of 40%. They must be regretting it now, however at the time Dinamo had Baturina, P.Sucic, Kacavenda & Stojkovic on their books and they must have thought that Vrbancic was surplus.
Last year Vrbancic missed most of the season due to injury, but now he is playing so well that if he continues to perform, I think that Bilic needs to call him up.
Vrbancic plays the same role as Misic at Dinamo however he is only 21 years old.
We’ll see how he goes in the upcoming U21 EURO qualifiers, but it should be noted that he always stood out as one of our best players when playing for our U17, U19 and U21 teams.
@mart,
Yeah vrbancic looks excellent. his progression, aside from the injury set back, has been consistently impressive. When I saw him a couple of years ago for the U21 NT he reminded me of Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton. Wharton is a player who many of my English friends thought should have been in the England squad because of his ability to dictate play with smooth, quick, line breaking passes. Vrbancic looked like a very similar player. Untypical for a Croatian.
Most Croatian player like to move with the ball at their feet. Even our centre backs love to dribble. Gvardiol, sutalo, vuskovic, even Pongracic love a dribble. Misic who has been called up loves to move with the ball.
In modern positional football, as perfected by pep Guardiola, the number 6 is ideally a player who doesn’t want or need many touches. Busquets is the perfect example, Rodri is another. Players who read the spaces, timing of the game, position themselves and already know where their pass is going before they receive the ball. This brings fluidity to the team and both quick transitions and a controlled possession game.
Bisquets is the classic example. Pep sold Yaya Toure (who is a far more talented and complete player. A guy who could do literally everything near perfectly) because he preferred busquets as his number 6. Because Yaya wants and needs to be on the ball, driving forward or being imaginative and impactful with his passing game. Bisquets just allows the ball to go through him, maximising time on the ball for the likes of xavi, iniesta and Messi.
The only negative to Whartons game, and vrbancic until recently, is their lack of physicality. But recently vrbancic has looked like an aggressive athlete. Strong and competitive. That’s the perfect modern number 6. Strong, aggressive, excellent positioning and reading of the game, and super smooth, quick, safe, but incisive passing. Vrbancic 100% should be called up.
There are players who catch the eye young due to their flair, speed, dribbling or shooting. And there are those who quietly improve their all round game, until they are top players.
You can add me to the vrbancic fan club.
Hey Bilic –
Remember when Anonymous pointed out that Istra MUST keep Frederiksen in order to have balance on match day 1 ?
Fast-forward and Istra first line of attack is down the right hand side Frederiksen (I know I know Anonymous prediction hits again – maintain their 100% hit rate)
Frederiksen has been the BEST player in the HNL so far this season – yet he’s never gotten capped for Denmark NT (after U21s – he’s 26 y/o now) – so if the best player in the HNL isn’t getting called up for crappy Denmark – how in Heaven’s name are you calling up FOUR players (all lesser than Frederiksen) for Croatia ???
Please dovetail that for me sweetie – maybe nepo nephew Ivo can help explain it for us
Haduk’s signings weren’t high-profile this summer, but I think they’ll be effective.
Silic could be a great asset for the NT someday, he’s a very good shot stopper. His biggest issue is his timing when coming off is line. Corners and crosses especially seem to cause him a lot of problems, but he’s young so maybe that’s to be expected.
Does Hajduk have enough firepower to compete with Dinamo this season? Speaking as a Hajduk fan, probably not. But that win against Rakow was a huge statement. The Polish league is a lot stronger than the HNL, and hopefully this is the start of an upward swing for them after many, many rough years.
Unrelated, but how good is Zuzic? Istra have an insane amount of Croatian talent between him, Kumar and Ahmeti
I have criticized Silic for his lack of presence. He seems to be physically weak and not imposing enough when opposing players are in the box.
He has great height (at 6’5″ tall) and seems to have a long wingspan. He just needs to stop shying away from contact. Referees tend to call in favor of the goalkeeper, but he still seems to be afraid of contact for those 50/50 high balls (similar to Livakovic several years ago).
He is still only 22, so hopefully he gets better. Hajduk is doing the right thing anyway, by developing our own (rather than try and sign some foreign keeper).
I don’t know if Hajduk have the depth to take the HNL crown, but Dinamo seem to be struggling and Hajduk have the better coach. We’ll see if that is enough.
I agree that Istra has a surprising amount of young talent.
Remember, they also recently had Lisica and Valincic (who were sold to Dinamo) yet they haven’t skipped a beat with Skafar-Zuzic, Ahmeti and Jaganjac (but Jaganjac is a Bosniak, so he can’t play for us). Rozic (who was very good a year ago) is actually having to play off the bench because of this talent influx.
Kumar, Ahmeti and Skafar-Zuzic are extremely young and are getting some serious game time in the HNL. Very rare to have 17 and 18 year olds getting this kind of first team gametime, and it’s extremely good for their development. I hope they stick around and get Istra into Europe. Hajduk and Dinamo need to take notes.
I agree with Liva/Silic comparisons. Livakovic stayed timid for a long time and, let’s be honest, still isn’t the best with the ball at his feet. But club football is also way different than international football. National teams need a goalkeeper who’ll just keep the ball out of the net for a 7 game tournament.
It’s rare to see 17 and 18 years old get gametime, but even more rare to see them make an impact. Zuzic has 4 G/A in 7 HNL games, and Ahmeti has 5 G/A in in 7. Also important to note that they’re not playing 90 minutes a game in a Dinamo superteam. Their playing time is still somewhat limited in a mid-table Istra team, making the stats even more impressive.
They also have Niko Sepic LB is an U21 too
In the U19 league – they have the current top 3 goal scorers: Rio Joka, Toni Brajkovic and Diego Saina – so the Istra pipeline looks very healthy too
Jaga
Very very disappointed with his performance on the bench last game
https://x.com/paofc_/status/2099476903279186303
See 2:29 and 3:13 – he’s basically the last player getting up and celebrating (and not much enthusiasm)
At 3:25 we see him biting his nails – not a nice habit – stop doing that Jaga!
At 3:34 – he is just sitting there – while most of his teammates are up on their feet
3:36 still biting his nails while sitting – maybe try chewing gum Jaga?
3:59 Jaga sitting alone (he reminds of Punch the Monkey when he first joined the troop – but at least Punch at Orange Mama plushie to sooth him) receiving a high-five – and doesn’t even bother to try to make eye contact – maybe Anonymous’ should buy one of the IKEA Orange Mama’s for Jaga and send in his next wellness package?
4:44 Jaga all alone post match barely able to clap – the depression through the match and post match is sadly clear from his eyes
Of note – all the substitutions that came on – where the same ones who were enthusiastic on the bench while they were waiting – as such – Anonymous would formally like to request Jaga gives more effort on the bench – to interact more with his teammates – stop bitting his nails – start celebration and showing enthusiasm at the game and his teammates doing well – the coaching staff reads players attitudes and body language on the bench – it’s a test
Now – Jaga’s Croatian Dad should be giving him this advice (or at least his dumb agent) – it should not be coming from Anonymous – Anonymous will however continue to do their part and send him an Ikea Orange Mama so he can get comfort in these tense moments from the bench and after the match
Como performance ain’t no fluke
Check out this preparation – pretty impressive stuff – best-in-class stuff
https://x.com/Sports_Doctor2/status/2099420219399639067?s=20
Not sure why the President of Como is revealing this – just lets your competitors do the same/get up to speed
Here’s the full podcast – on the to do/must watch list
***.youtube.com/watch?v=EY_CVh0pv8k
2 days ago – Anonymous tells the MORONS that Igor is the one
Today – SN rips off Anonymous (once again)
***.jutarnji.hr/sportske/nogomet/igor-matanovic-freiburg-bundesliga-golovi-hrvatska-prva-devetka-15746195
I guess we should be all be proud that SN continues to read this site to source their ideas
Croatian media and hacks (like Holiga) always rip off articles and posts from this site. Sometimes it’s word for word.
Let’s face it. We are the shit, they are the shits
Pretty interesting the talk about the Man City goal and the poor refereeing. I like the fact the ref body (Pro Ref? LOL) did come out and say, yeah, we got that wrong. You would never see FIFA coming out and saying we fucked up, that’s for sure.
Skafar-Zuzic
Notice how he holds his arms/hands in a very distinct manner when he runs ?
Guess where he got that from ??
Raheem Sterling (who’s mother was a Jamaican 100m sprinter and passed the running style along to Raheem)
It’s funny – because Anonymous was thinking he actually reminds a lot of Raheem – his cut inside and shot that hit the post in the 63′ is Sterling copy cat
Well hopefully he’s not a closeted homosexual like Sterling. 😜
You outta know. 😆
True dat Bila hard to be a man when your name starts with MAM 😂
This was an awful match to watch, but the main thing is that Hajduk won.
Second half in particular was poor where we only created one chance.
Big test is next weekend when we play Rijeka away.
Na Poljudu…