Coming down to the final day of action, Rijeka was crowned HNL Champions for the second-ever time in their history.
Hosting Slaven Belupo at a packed Rujevica Stadium, a 2-0 win was enough to secure the illustrious HNL Championship, beating out Dinamo Zagreb and Hajduk Split.
With a domestic double still on the cards, it is worth looking back upon a remarkable season for HNK Rijeka.
‘A depleted squad’
Upon entering the 2024/25 campaign, big changes were made at Rijeka.
Finishing second in the league behind Dinamo, while also losing to the Zagreb-based club in the Croatia Cup Final, Rijeka could not get their hands on any silverware last season.
To make matters worse, star winger Marko Pjaca jumped ship across to Dinamo in the off-season.
Promoted to the top job, former striker Radomir Djalović was given his first senior head coach role at the club.
Key departures of forward Franjo Ivanović and midfielder Veldin Hodža early in the campaign left big shoes to fill.
Meanwhile, the likes of fullback Ivan Smolčić and winger Marco Pašalić also left the club for sizeable transfer fees later on.
A three-horse title race
However, Rijeka maintained their level from the previous season, trailing narrowly behind Hajduk come 2025.
Recording an eye-catching 4-0 win over Dinamo, followed by a 3-0 win against Hajduk within a month, Rijeka believed that a title charge was well and truly on the cards.
After a late-season capitulation from Hajduk, who have now extended their title drought to over 20 seasons, a large surge from Dinamo put pressure on Djalović’s men.
Taking out 18 of the last 19 HNL Championships, holding out the dominant Dinamo was a task that came down to the wire.
While a disappointing 2-1 loss at the hands of Hajduk in Round 35 was a scare for Rijeka, dropped points against Lokomotiva Zagreb by Dinamo ensured Rijeka had destiny in their own hands in the final round.
With the title-challenging trio all kicking off simultaneously, an early goal from 23-year-old Niko Janković was a perfect start for Rijeka over Slaven.
Following a shocking mistake by Slaven goalkeeper Ivan Sušak, attacking midfielder Toni Fruk’s shot from distance into an open goal had his side 2-0 up in the 50th minute.
After earning his first Vatreni call-up in the March international window, Fruk stood out again in the biggest of stages for his side.
Not allowing their opponents a single shot on target, Rijeka did not crack under pressure and prevailed on home soil.
Despite the notable departures from the squad, several players stood up and kept Rijeka competing at the top level this season.
While Fruk has been the star of the show after registering both 10 goals and assists in the league this season, towering defender Stjepan Radeljić, winger Naïs Djouahra and shot-stopper Martin Zlomislić are some of the few players who have been vital to Rijeka’s success.
A double up for grabs
Keeping ahead of giants Dinamo and Hajduk in the league, Rijeka’s achievement becomes all the more impressive, considering they have been competing on two fronts at the back end of the season.
While Dinamo and Hajduk both exited the Croatia Cup in the quarterfinals, Rijeka progressed all the way to the big dance, eliminating Hajduk on their journey to the Final.
Holding fellow finalists Slaven to a 1-1 draw in the first leg, Rijeka can lift yet another trophy at the Rujevica Stadium on the 30th of May in their home leg.
Winning the domestic double in their historic 2016/17 season, Rijeka has the opportunity to repeat their fortunes and cap-off 2024/25 in style.