MaxTV Prva Liga Week Six – Dinamo, Hajduk, Rijkea Struggle

Fans saw a Prva Liga triple whammy this weekend when all three of Croatia’s top teams ended the week without a win.

Dinamo, Hajduk, and Rijeka all faced teams that sit in the lower half of the table, but were unable to pull off a win.

This could be blamed on a busy scheduled for the clubs that involve the Europa League, but RNK Split, who has the same schedule, came out victorious in their league match this week.

NK Zagreb paid a visit to Maksimir Sunday to face Dinamo Zagreb and showed them that winning their tenth consecutive title may not be as easy as it has been in recent years.

Despite the early goal by Luis Ibanez in the ninth minute, Zagreb’s defense stood strong and held the Modri to only one goal.
The goal from Ibanez was his first since returning to Dinamo after spending last season on loan at Racing Club in his native country of Argentina.

Valentino Stepčić scored the goal that brought the match to a draw. In the 60th minute, Stepčić scored his second goal of the season and stole a point from Dinamo.

HNK Rijeka has been keeping pace with with the top of the table the past five weeks, but suffered their first defeat of the season at the hands of Lokomotiva.

Lokomotiva have been fighting through their worst start in the Prva Liga, losing four consecutive matches in their first five games. The Lokosi we were determined to turn their season around and Rijeka seemed like a easy target due to their hectic schedule.

Rijeka coach, Matjaz Kek, decided to bench some of his key players to give them a rest after their Europa League tie last week and in anticipation of the second leg this week.

Goalkeeper, Ivan Vargić and strikers Andrej Kramarić and Ivan Krstanović all found themselves on the bench, as well as midfielders, Mate Maleš and Ivan Močinić and defender and captain, Dario Knežević.

Lokomotiva jumped at the chance of facing the weakened team, but still had trouble scoring, leaving the match scoreless until the 70th minute when Damir Sovšić scored the games first goal from the penalty spot.

Rijeka quickly answered back five minutes later to tie the match, but Sovšić scored again in the 82nd minute to earn Lokomotiva’s first win since July 19.

NK Osijek was watering at the mouth when Hajduk came to Gradski Vrt this weekend.

Osijek knew that Hajduk also has had a hectic schedule with their Europa League ties, and saw an opportunity to pounce when Hajduk fielded a team of mostly reserves and B-teamers.

Hajduk knew Osijek would be tough to play at home. The club has yet to win a home match this season and would be hungry to get a win in front of their fans.

“Osijek is very motivated to beat Hajduk, it will be difficult to play them,” Hajduk coach, Igor Tudor said prior to the match.
And motivated they were. Ivan Baraban scored the match-winner in the 27th minute. It was Baraban’s first goal of the season and first goal since the 2012/13 season.

Osijek continued to control the match in front of their own fans when Marin Glavaš scored and insurance goal in the 73rd minute to make it 2-0 for the home team.

Osijek’s defense did their job and kept Hajduk scoreless.

NK Zadar matched up goal for goal against NK Istra 1961 over the weekend with a 1-1 draw while RNK Split took three points from Slaven Belupo with a score of 2-0. Split is the only club in the league that won their league match this week while still competing in the Europa League.

With the 2-0 loss, Slaven are currently in last place.