Bukvić 'Broke Backs', Now Osijek Must Act Fast
Young Domagoj Bukvić shone in a new role against Gorica, and with his contract expiring, his future at Opus Arena is becoming a pressing issue.
Young Domagoj Bukvić shone in a new role against Gorica, and with his contract expiring, his future at Opus Arena is becoming a pressing issue.
Osijek's victory in Gorica at the start of the new SuperSport HNL season brought more than just three points. Along with confirmation that newcomers like Dolček are genuine reinforcements and that young talents Kolarik and Ježić are ready for senior challenges, the Blue-Whites also got a new-and-improved Domagoj Bukvić. Coach Federico Bessone moved him from the wing to midfield, and that decision proved to be a masterstroke.
In his 126 appearances for Osijek, the 22-year-old Bukvić has rarely played in the center of the park. He has mostly been attack-minded, operating on the left or right wing, and occasionally as a left-back. Bessone has now assigned him the roles of "eight" and "ten," aiming to get the most out of his talent.
"An incredible left foot, one of the best players in the league, and I want to help him become even better," the Argentine tactician stated ahead of the season.
Bukvić's performance against Gorica was backed by stellar numbers. He registered four shots on goal and 22 accurate passes in the opponent's half. His creativity was evident in four successful dribbles out of four attempts. However, what particularly stands out is his defensive contribution: he won 12 duels and made four successful sliding tackles, both the highest in the entire match.
Had Braut not cleared a shot off the line just before halftime that was heading into an empty net, the man-of-the-match award would have been a foregone conclusion.
A goal is something Bukvić desperately craves. It has been over two years since he last found the net, in a 5-1 victory against Estonia's Levadia in the Conference League qualifiers. His last league goal dates back to May 2024, and in the past two domestic seasons, he has failed to score.
Complicating matters is his contract. Bukvić is among the players entering the final year of their deal with Osijek. Club president Alexandra Vegh has set clear financial boundaries, but it is precisely talents like him that warrant breaking the mold. A decision on his fate is expected in the coming weeks, before the transfer window closes, or at the latest within the next few months.
Back in the spring of 2023, former Osijek coach Borimir Perković, who introduced Bukvić to senior football, had a vision of his worth. "If football were fair, Bukvić would already have at least 50 appearances for Osijek and would now be worth 10 million euros," Perković assessed at the time, having lasted only seven matches in charge of the Blue-Whites.
Meanwhile, Osijek has officially confirmed the return of Ivo Vranješ after four years. He will serve as a coach and coordinator in the youngest age groups. "I am happy and satisfied to return home where it all began. I am grateful to the people who brought me back among the Blue-Whites and to the Club as a whole for recognizing my situation and what I can contribute in terms of professional work," Vranješ said.
Additionally, Tomislav Šorša, a former Osijek player with 265 appearances for the club, has been appointed as a coach in the Football Academy, where he will be in charge of the U-9 category.
