1. ŠIBENIK – VARAŽDIN 1:2

Šibenik and Varaždin played a tactically interesting match that can be divided into two parts. The first was until Varaždin’s (Teklić) red card, and the second was with many tactical adaptations in the Varaždin game after the red card.

On one side, Cvitanović changed the system from 4321 he showed last week to 4231 and decided to play aggressive, reactive football with quick transitions.

Kovačević changed his team shape in 352 last week and also stuck to it this week, staying loyal to his possession playing style.

Šibenik played classical 4231 but decided to play aggressively on šibenik midfield players, with a lot of running and covering passing lanes and a lot of fauls on Varaždin’s midfield players. Varaždin attackers Brodić and Posavec were cut off, so Varaždin wasn’t dangerous on Šibenik’s goal as they would be otherwise.

When Šibenik players won the ball, they went in quick transition and counterattack, playing the ball in free space for an attacking trio (Čop, Delić, and Dolček). Šibenik tried to exploit Varaždin’s worst par of play defensive corner kick but didn’t succeed.

At the start of the second period, there were also some phases when it looked like Šibenik was trying possession of the game, but this period was very short.

Varaždin started 352, with five players (Puclin, Elezi, Teklić, Posavec), outstanding in orientation and space interpretation, creating triangular and diamond geometry all over the pitch, with solid passing precision and timing. Varaždin players are not afraid to make a mistake in a passing game style which is an excellent accomplishment of Kovačević man management and coaching. He made an impact on the mentality and mindset of his players. Jelenić, Ba, and Skolnik are CBs that are not afraid to give the pass to midfielders in tight spaces. Although they make many mistakes, they try, and because of that, team possession style and passing game are possible.

Kovačić prepared a mechanism for attack opening, where the team imposed something that looked 352 in 433 shape adaptation on the pitch. Stolnik would go on RB position, Stanić higher up the pitch, so Jelenić and Ba would become 2 CBs in 433.

Although it looked impressive and fluid, perhaps the mechanism needs time for players to let it grow into them. This game didn’t give Varaždin much in any of the game phases. Šibenik’s aggressive approach, especially in the first period of the game, made to Varaždi many problems in the passing game. Varaždin made a lot of passing errors, but errors were forced by very aggressive Šibenik players.

After receiving a red card, Varaždin changed their system in 441, adapting it to 621 when opponent fullbacks went up the pitch and decided on a different defensive approach and counterattacking when winning the ball.

Although Varaždin was numerically inferior, Šibenik didn’t control the game through possession, and Varaždin was able to reach Šibenik 16yard box when winning the ball via counterattacks and jeopardize Šibenik’s goal more than once. In one such event, Šibenik players made a penalty, wich became an equalizer. So Šibenik failed to protect the lead with possession or negative transition.

In the 90th minute, Šibenik received a red card. One minute later, they received a second goal through a counterattack, failing to protect the result because of a slow negative transition.

Varaždin showed an excellent game mentality, winning the game with the player down through change in the system and play approach.

2. LOKOMOTIVA – HAJDUK 2:2

Čabraja and Karoglan decided for their standardized game plan. Hajduk once again had many attacking mechanisms but failed to provide playing dynamics fluidity and improvisations inside the game plan when the main mechanisms didn’t bring results.

Karoglan deciding to play in something that always looks as 4231 at begining, but depending on game situations and game mechanisms it may look like 4312 allso.

Fossati entering between two DC in attack build up, Krovinović allways prepared going on LB position so Melnjak can go upfield, and Mikanović allways prepared to go on RB position so Mikanović can go upfied. This mechanism allows Sahiti to come in the midfield and both fullbacks to go on wing positions, but removes midfielders from deeper positions, losing attacking midfield creativity and leavinng attackers in isolating positions. The problem that was also obvious is that these mechanisms are making triangular and diamon geometry less posible so lot of pasing mistakes were made by Hajduk players. Because they weren’t able to build up attack with passes, Hajduk went upfield with long pasess on Mlakar.

Hajduk defended in the 4411 low block when Lokomotiva gained possession and decided not to counterattack but build up an attack.

Čabraja decided Lokomotiva to play 4231, and were strong in second balls, and counterattacks. Every Hajduk’s goal-kicks Lokomotiva players vent upfield, forceing Hajduk to go in attacking third with long balls. Othervise staying in midle block, Tuci and Kulenović attacking Hajduk’s DC and interchenging on Fossati on DMC, when Hajduk changed sides throught passing bettwen DC’s.

When takeing the ball the main idea was obvious. Counterattacking with direct attack, progresing throught pass, and changing sides quickley. Interesting was that both Full backs (Cipetić and Miličević) went upfield in counterattacks, expecially if the ball was won on opposite side. The attacks were very direct and short.

Hajduk scored two goals from transition in second period of the game in a game span of 5 minutes. It happened in part of the game when Lokomotiva was very dangerous for Hajduk’s goal throught short flank attacks. After scoring goals Hajduk lost attacking and defending structure last 15 minutes completley, as if the players tought game was over. Lokomotiva attacked furiousley throught crosses, cornerkicks and free kicks. At the end Lokomotiva scored two goals, but if thegame would prolonge for 3 more minutes Lokomotiva would probably grab all three points.