Hajduk comes to Tirana tonight with a capital of one goal difference against Dinamo City, but the game shown in the first double match was such that it is clear who is the favorite to advance. However, many are blowing cold feet, Hajduk used to get relegated from weaker teams, the traumas of Ružomberok, Tobol, Gzira and similar clubs are still deep.
Hajduk's performance in the first five matches of this season suggests that we shouldn't watch such horror scenarios. The setups have a head and a tail, the game is played meaningfully, and one piece of information suggests that there should be no panic, which often cost Hajduk defeat in such matches. Namely, in as many as three matches this season, the Split club entered the match with a 0:1 deficit, which they would turn around by the end. It's as if Gonzalo Garcia instilled confidence in the players, they know that they can come back from losses. And it was precisely the panic after conceding a goal that used to be the key to Hajduk's cataclysms.
The squad is also a bit refreshed, with many players having managed to rest over the weekend, from Livaj, who was forced to do so due to a yellow card, to all those who were given at least partial rest against Gorica. The match is scheduled for 8:45 p.m., so the heat will at least partially subside, so that shouldn't be a big problem either.
The sweet problem could be the selection of the starting eleven. Several players showed on Sunday in the HNL that they can be seriously counted on, Garcia now has sweet worries. Apart from the inner midfield, it has been shown since the beginning of the season that Pajaziti and Krovinović are irreplaceable, so in the rest of the season it will actually be the most difficult to find a way to rest the two of them. Although Krovinović also played part of his career in the Championship, the toughest league in terms of schedule, 46 championship matches alone, plus the FA and League Cups, two games a week is the standard, and it is not unusual for him to play three.
There is actually no big philosophy for this match, everything was announced before the first match, perhaps we can additionally expect Hajduk to attack the right side of the Albanian defense, which proved to be the most vulnerable part in the first match. It should not be surprising if Bamba, an offensive player in top form, starts on the left side of the attack. Let's also mention that Hajduk will have a very friendly atmosphere at the stadium, the game is being played at the national stadium in Tirana, so there was no problem with tickets for visiting fans, there will be more of them than home fans. Dinamo City, despite the spectacle of its name, does not actually have a large fan base. They decided on the Air Albania stadium because they were aware of the arrival of a large number of Hajduk fans, so why not make money...
And the fans, unlike the football players, will be able to follow the events at the meeting between Jagellonia and Silkeborg with a different eye, a pair that will give the next opponent to the club that passes in Tirana tonight. The Poles have a big advantage, but the first game suggests that it is still not a done deal. The players and the coaching staff must focus everything on this match against City (and Dinamo), so that there are no shocks.
Finally, a trivia, the most sprint runs in the last match against this opponent were by Marko Livaja. He is not often seen as a runner, and he definitely does not have great top speed, but with his runs in this season's Hajdukovo he opens up a huge space for the wingers and midfielders. If he is in the same mood tonight, there will hardly be any surprises.
Photo: Photo hajduk.hr
