1. RIJEKA – HAJDUK 1-0

Rijeka’s coach Sopić decided to play direct pressing run and gun football in system 415 in which all 5 front players are very aggressive and finishing-minded when having a ball in feet around the box (Ivanović, Pjaca, Pašalić, Fruk, Janković).

Deciding for this tactic (which he has used almost since taking over the coaching position) meant he had to make a defensive structure that would compensate if pressing was broken. And he did, with two CB and DMC triangul + RB Smolčić.

Hajduk’s Leko decided to play in a lopsided 4231, with Benrahoui being more of a wide midfielder than a winger and playing without players allowing deep running or wing 1-on-1 game (except Sahiti). It meant he decided to play a controlling game, thinking more about how not to receive a goal than how to score, but we must ask the question – is there in Hajduk’s roster player that can be threatful in the opponent’s box?! This approach gave him a result against Dinamo, but not this time.

The game model was a lot of pressing from both sides, resulting in problems in attack build-up. Rijeka had a few quick transitions after good pressing but without any result.

Once again, during Hajduk’s build-up, Krovinović was late in opening for ball receiving and, when in ball possession, could not make any game impact in reliving Rijeka’s pressure. That made the game very challenging for Hajduk’s CBs, resulting in a few severe mistakes, especially from Elez, who is still searching for form after injury. Because Hajduk couldn’t exit from the build up third as they wanted, bringing the ball upfield for Livaja and Sahiti in the spaces where they could be dangerous for Rijeka’s goal was tough.

Rijeka had significant direct attacks, but it must be said that Šarlija and Žaper played an excellent game, disturbing and blocking Rijeka’s offensive players when possible around the box.

The game would end in a draw if there wasn’t for Krovinović’s second-half handball and Janković penalty goal.