Hajduk and Dinamo met tonight for the third time this season, making up the 9th-round match scheduled for the end of last year. In the 18th round, Hajduk won 2:0 at Maksimir, and in the 27th round at the end of March in Split, it ended 0:0. These two rivals will meet again in the last 36th round at Maksimir on May 21.
The stakes in today’s game were exceptionally high for Hajduk, who needed a victory to stay in the race for the Croatian championship title. Defeat would leave Hajduk 10 points behind Dinamo, which was at the top going into the match with 66 points. Hajduk was in third place with 59 points, while Osijek has 64 points.
Hajduk sold 29,000 tickets by Tuesday, and more than 2,500 Hajduk fans gathered at the Poljud training ground on Monday to announce their support for the Split club.
Lineups
HAJDUK: L.Kalinić, Mikanović, Ferro, Elez, Melnjak, Vuković, Krovinović, Fossati, Mlakar, Livaja, N.Kalinić
DINAMO: Livaković, Theophile, Šutalo, Lauritsen, Ristovski, Mišić, Ademi, Petković, Gojak, Emreli, Oršić
Recap
Dinamo was the first to attack with a corner in the 2nd minute, which Kalinic saved. Emreli went down in the penalty area from the play, which brought the game to a halt for nearly 5 minutes.
Tensions were high in the first 10 minutes, with loud shouts to the ref from Hajduk fans. A dangerous free-kick was awarded to Hajduk in the 10th minute, which Krovinovic took just outside the box. However, Dinamo’s defense was solid to clear it.
Nikola Kalinic pressured Livakovic in the 13th minute, which forced him to clear the ball. Hajduk got their first corner a minute later. After back and forth in front of Dinamo’s goal, it eventually ended in Livakovic’s hands.
Hajduk fans were constantly whistling against the ref, who seemed to be calling more for Dinamo in the first 20 minutes. Dinamo pressured Hajduk’s defense in the 21st minute and was awarded their second corner of the match. Hajduk’s defense cleared it.
Melnjak and Lauritsen had a nasty collision during the corner, which ended in bandaged heads for them. The match finally resumed after another 5-minute injury break.
After another collision between Livaja and Petkovic, Melnajk decided he could no longer continue, and Colina was brought on as Hajduk’s first substitution in the 31st minute.
Foul after foul, the match slowly went on.
Hajduk picked up the intensity in the 36th minute and almost had a chance on Dinamo’s empty goal, but Livakovic made it back in time for the save.
Dambrauskas’ assistant Skinderis was sent off with a red car for mouthing to the ref in the 40th minute. To say that tensions were high at this point would be an understatement.
With so many fouls, there was hardly any rhythm in the game for either team. As a result, ten minutes of stoppage time was added to the first half.
Hajduk was awarded a corner in the 4th minute of stoppage time, but Krovinovic ultimately shot wide of the far post. Dinamo attacked in the next play, which was cleared out for a throw-in by Hajduk’s defense.
Livaja nearly had a one-on-one with Livakovic, but Dinamo’s defense double-teamed him to stop the attack.
The first half ended 0:0 with 50/50 possession and Hajduk’s 2 shots on target to Dinamo’s 0.
The second half started without any changes. Vukovic had two shots within a minute which were both cleared by the Dinamo defense. Mlakar shot at Livakovic minute later.
Dinamo attacked in the next play but Emreli shanked over the goal. Dinamo subbed on Ivanusec for Gojak in the 54th minute.
Hajduk had another brilliant chance in front of the goal in the 55th minute. Livaja sent the ball into the near post but it was saved by the Dinamo defense.
Petkovic and Orsic were essentially neutralized by the Hajduk defense in the match so far.
Orsic tried shooting from 30 meters but hit high over the post in the 61st minute.
Hajduk was hungrier this half which ultimately ended in a goal. Nikola Kalinic hit a far-post rocket into the back of Dinamo’s net for 1:0 in the 63rd minute!
Dinamo made another sub in the 66th minute – Spikic was subbed on for Ristovski.
Dinamo picked up the pace in the 5 minutes that followed. Kalinic’s fingertips saved the day from Dinamo equalizing in the 69th minute, sending it out for a corner.
Dinamo subbed again in the 74th – Tolic came on for Misic, and Hajduk subbed off Vukovic for Sahiti.
Livaja shot wide of the far post in the 77th minute, as did Tolic for Dinamo one minute later.
In the 84th minute, Hajduk subbed off Colina for Simic and Nikola Kalinic for Lovrencsics. Dambrauskas was making a defensive decision with 5 minutes left.
Livaja was shown a yellow card in the 88th-minute meaning he’ll miss the next match against Belupo.
Six minutes of stoppage time was added to the end of the match. Dinamo had a dangerous chance in the next minute with Kalinic’s save going out for a corner.
Livaja was one-on-one again with Dinamo’s last defender and sent the ball to Mlakar who shot over the goal. Neither team was able to score in the time that remained…
The match ended 1:0 for Hajduk!
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