Osijek and Hajduk prepare for a face-off in Opus Arena amidst high expectations after Osijek’s previous 2-0 win in Split. Both teams, led by Zekić and Karoglan, have experienced a dense match schedule, limiting their training time. Zekić optimistically anticipates a better performance after a 3-0 loss to Gorica, while Karoglan hopes for improved playing fluidity from his team.

Today at 17.00 in Osijek on Opus Arena, NK Osijek will take on Hajduk.

Osijek’s 2-0 victory in Split, was Zekić’s premiere on Osijek’s bench this season. That match destined Ivan Leko (former Hajduk coach) and Karlogan (current coach).

Zekić and Karoglan are expecting the game in similar positions. Both took teams over after their predecessor’s bad results, with the imperative for victory, but without time to play in their ideas on the team. Both teams played three games in the last 12 days, limiting training sessions on recovery, activation, and probably post and pre-match tactical analysis without real tactical pre-match traning sessions.

OSIJEK GAME PLAN

Zekićis expecting a game after a 3-0 loss against Gorica on the weekend. Right after arriving, Zekić changed the system, playing with three at the back but changing the system depending on the opponent. So against Hajduk, he played 3511 with a diamond-shaped midfield, man-marking Hajduk’s midfield, switching it on 4231 in the second half to gain depth in counterattacks after taking the ball.

Already against Istra, he changed in 3421; he kept the formation against Karlovac (cup game) and Gorica, reinventing Jugović in the AMC role. Jugović scoring hattrick after enetering Istra game.

Zekić can change the systems and adapt to pressing depending on the opponent (that is probably why Jugović is in the attacking midfield line). With Mirerez (the most aggressive striker of the league) and Jugović in the front line, Osijek has an excellent capacity for pressing and taking bounced second balls.

Although Gorica result didn’t match the expectations, Osijek played good aggressive football, pressing Gorica’s defense in buildup, winning lot of second balls after playing long, creating a lot of transition chances after pressing and regaining second and nobody’s balls, and from crosses on Mierez, but Osijek players were not influential in finishing chances. They received goals only after setpieces and counterattacks, definitely game elements that need to be improved. They created a lot of chances and even had the goals disallowed for minimal offside. So, the result doesn’t give an actual representation of the game.

Zekić probably won’t back off from his playing style; the question is only which formation shape he will oppose Hajduk in this match, probably depending on Livaja’s and Krovinović’s positioning on the field. So, we can expect Zekić’s in-game formation rotations.

The crucial thing is that after three matches out due the injury, Zekić will have AMC Caktaš on their disposal, Osijek’s and Legue’s best goal scorer, perfect for attacking crosses from deep, and could gain the most from Mierez’s aggressive, warrior, in-box mindset.

Probable Osijek formations:

(1) Standardized 3421

• providing god shape for pressing
• proving backup for Mierez on second balls and quick transitions
• providing width with wingbacks, and bodies in box

(2) Midfield diamond shape variant 3511

• providing adaptable midfield diamond shape for man marking
• providing width with wingbacks

(3) Probable in match formation change 4231 (counterattack variant)

• providing 6 man defending
• providing attacking depth in counterattacks with 4 players (back covered with 6 players)

HAJDUK GAME PLAN

Karoglanis expects the game after three consecutive victories but without any game improvement compared to his predecessor, Leko. That is also likely because he has little time to play in his ideas because of the tight game schedule and few training sessions. He and his team are under enormous pressure because of fans’ championship win expectations. Still, if Hajduk doesn’t find the game fluidity and busts their scoring potential, they will be in great trouble.

In the last game, he won Rudeš without two leading players, Livaja and Krovinović, but it was an adamant game.

Hajduk’s team is struggling to gain fluidity in their attacking game and to score goalscoring chances. Livaja is in a bit of a crisis after Mlakar’s transfer to Pisa. Mlakar had a significant impact on Hajduk’s game, disburdening Livaja in the final third and also scoring and assisting some crucial goals. Trajkovski, who arrived as Mlakar’s replacement, scored the last match against Rudeš. He is a great player; he can play on the wing and in a central striking role, but he has a very similar playing profile as Livaja, and he is still looking to find the form to adapt to his new team.

After Melnjak’s injury, trouble was doubled, and Hajduk lost their most obvious left-side playing pattern. Because Melnjak gave Hajduk depth in the box, from atypical movement and in-depth running from the defensive line, and his inbox positioning was almost like a striker’s, Hajduk now wholly lost their left side attacking potential.

Former trainer Leko left an excellent defensive structure, so Hajduk received minor goals in the league, but Karoglan came in to make some attacking progress.

In the last few games, Benrahou played on the right wing. With Pukštaš and Moufi on the same side, it was crowded, and Hajduk was stuck.

The excellent news for Hajduk is that for this game, Livaja and Krovinović are back; with Pukštaš, Livaja, Sahiti, and Trajkovski, Hajduk could get the attacking potential.

Possible Hajduk formations

(1) One pivot midfield 433

Karoglan likes to play 433 with one pivot midfield, with many buildup patterns and opposite movements in attacking thirds. But will he be able to implement his ideas in this game? It will also be interesting if Karoglan puts Sigur in the RB position because it will give him some manpower possibilities as an extra midfielder in attack buildup.

(2) Two pivot midfield with lopsided 4231

Leko left this formation. It has midfield overload, looking a bit like midfield diamond 4, but it failed in providing attacking depth.

(3) Three at the back

Karoglan sometimes play three back, but only as an option in the final minutes when protecting the lead and the team is strugling to retain possession

GAME MODEL AND PLAYER DUELS

The game model will probably see more phases. So according to coaches’ onfield ideas implementation, we could see this scenario:

• Hajduk build-up patterns vs. Osijek’s pressing – with a strong possibility of Žaper getting between CBs in attack buildup.
• Osijek attacking third transition vs Hajduk’s defensive transition
• Second ball battle after Osijek playing long on Mierez
• Osijek diamond man marking in middle block vs Hajduk finishing preparation
• Hajduk trying to penetrate Osijek’s low block with overlaps and low and high crosses
• Osijek counterattacks vs Hajduk’s defensive runs in 4v3 player ratio
• Set pieces batle

The most interesting game duels will be:

• Šarlija/Uremović/Žaper vs Osijek’s attacking trio or quatro (Mierez + others)
• Possible man marking midfield battle
• Livaja/Sahiti/Trajkovski vs Bralić/Duarte/Manev