With Croatian talents catching eyes and impressing across the globe, Vjesnik’s Jake Holub wraps up the week for shining Aussie Croats, Croats in Europe and action in Croatia’s HNL.
Croats charging in the A-League Golden Boot race
Kicking off a blockbuster Round 25 of A-League Men’s football on Friday night, Brisbane Roar’s matchup against Macarthur FC did not disappoint viewers.
While youngster Keegan Jelačić upon returning from suspension provided an excellent assist for Brisbane to open the scoring in the 28th minute, Macarthur responded to great effect.
The Bulls fired five goals past the Roar without response, led by a stunning Marin Jakoliš hattrick.
The Croat goal-fest continued on Saturday, beginning with Western Sydney’s clash with league leaders, Auckland FC.
Nicolas Milanović scored in his fifth consecutive game for the Wanderers, helping his side claim a crucial point away from home in what was a tight battle with the Black Knights.
Defeated for the fourth game in a row, David Zdrilić‘s Perth Glory fell to Western United – sat rock-bottom on the ladder with two difficult away fixtures against the New Zealand-based clubs still to come.
On the other end, Western United secured all three points in what was a must-win game at Ironbark Fields.
Helped by Noah Botić‘s exceptional performances in attack, the Green and Black trail Auckland FC by five points – with a fixture scheduled between the sides in the final round having the potential to be a Premiership-deciding game.
Headlining the day’s action, Adrian Segečić entered the double-digits club with a 94th-minute winner for Sydney FC over Adelaide United – bringing his side back into the top six ahead of the Reds on goal difference.
Approaching the remaining four rounds of the league’s regular season; Milanović (11), Botić (11), Segečić (10) and now Jakoliš (9) all make up nearly half of the top-scorers charts – with Adelaide’s Archie Goodwin narrowly leading the pack with 12 goals.
Title charges the plenty across Europe
As most European leagues approach the pointy end of the season, various Croats find themselves amid thrilling title races.
Becoming a key member of the side since returning from injury, Josip Stanišić played out the entirety of Bayern Munich’s 3-1 away win over Kristijan Jakić‘s FC Augsburg – who featured in all 90 minutes for the losing side.
Bayern coach Vincent Kompany also provided Gabriel Vidović with a brief cameo off the bench – his first minutes for the club since returning from his Mainz loan spell.
Stanišić has the opportunity to win his fifth-straight Bundesliga title should the Bavarians finish the campaign strong, joining forces with Leverkusen on loan in their remarkable 2023/24 season.
Unable to enjoy the same fortunes as his teammate, Luka Modrić‘s Real Madrid suffered a shock 1-2 home loss to Valencia.
Despite the 39-year-old’s best efforts playing 77 minutes in Real’s midfield, the reigning La Liga Champions have fallen four points behind the leading Barcelona.
While out of the Premier League title race, Joško Gvardiol and Mateo Kovačić‘s Manchester City claimed four points out of a possible six against Leicester City and Manchester United, with Gvardiol starting both games at centre-back as City push to claim a top-four place.
Continuing his top form for PSV, Ivan Perišić started and scored in his side’s 3-1 win over Groningen – a necessary response after defeat to Ajax last weekend.
However, Ajax maintained their nine-point lead in the Eredivisie title race, beating out NAC Breda 3-1 with Josip Šutalo playing all 90 minutes in the heart of defence.
Returning from his first senior national team call-up, Franjo Ivanović resumed his goal-scoring antics for Union Saint-Gilloise – scoring three goals in two outings against Royal Antwerp and KAA Gent respectively.
In Italy, Nikola Vlašić started and provided an assist in Torino’s 1-1 draw with Hellas Verona, while Borna Sosa remained an unused sub for the seventh consecutive game for both club and country.
Relegated to the bench for two games after returning from international duty, Dominik Livaković regained his starting spot in Fenerbahçe’s 4-1 win over Trabzonspor – with his side sat second place trailing rivals Galatasaray by three points.
Here are some other performances from Croats across Europe worth noting:
- Josip Juranović (90 mins) and Marin Ljubičić (52 mins) starred in Union Berlin’s 1-0 win against Wolfsburg.
- Marin Šotiček scored in his cameo off the bench for league leaders, FC Basel.
- Ivor Pandur kept his sixth clean sheet of the season in Hull City’s 1-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday.
- Tomi Jurić scored a brace off the bench in FC Koper’s 3-1 win against Kalcer Radomlje.
Hajduk charge further ahead of struggling Dinamo
With all of the top three sides scheduled with away fixtures of Round 28, the likelihood of dropping points in a thrilling HNL title race seemed inevitable for at least one of the trio.
Hajduk Split were first up and faced the in-form Slaven Belupo; a test for Gennaro Gattuso’s men who were held to a scoreless draw by Slaven back in Round 19.
Earning a spot-kick after a handball in the penalty area, Marko Livaja ended his brief drought in front of goal by converting from the spot and providing Hajduk with the lead late in the first half.
Controlling 68% of possession in the second 45, Slaven sought out an equaliser against Gattuso’s compact side – defending deep to see out the result.
The approach was ultimately a great success for Hajduk, keeping out their opponents without conceding a single shot on target during the entire match.
It was a second straight clean sheet kept by the club, producing a resolute defensive performance with 20-year-old Dominik Prpić once again playing a key role in the heart of defence amid a breakout season.
Shortly after, Dinamo Zagreb suffered an astonishing 0-3 loss to Istra 1961 – who recorded their first win in over two years against Dinamo.
Outplaying the reigning Champions, Stjepan Lončar’s two-goal performance was the standout for Istra; while 21-year-old Antonio Maurić continued his hot form, registering his fifth assist in his last eight outings.
It went from bad to worse for Dinamo after Rijeka claimed all three points over Lokomotiva Zagreb.
Toni Fruk‘s 72nd-minute volleyed effort helped his side to a 1-0 win in Zagreb, maintaining a one-point gap behind Hajduk on top while marching seven points ahead of Dinamo in third.