Garcia: 'It's hard to fight Dinamo, everyone sees our problem'
Hajduk's coach open about the squad, Livaja, and the gap with Dinamo ahead of the visit to Varaždin. Varaždin aims for the top.
Hajduk's coach open about the squad, Livaja, and the gap with Dinamo ahead of the visit to Varaždin. Varaždin aims for the top.
Hajduk's footballers will visit Varaždin on Sunday at 6:30 PM in the first round of the SuperSport HNL. Both teams enter the championship after painful European eliminations, and the Split side's coach, Gonzalo Garcia, did not hide the challenges he faces at the press conference.
According to Slobodna Dalmacija, Garcia sent a clear message about the balance of power in domestic football after Dinamo opened the season with a 2-0 win over Slaven Belupo at Maksimir. "It's hard to fight Dinamo when you see their squad. But we're trying, we're in a process, we're building a new team," Garcia said for Slobodna Dalmacija. He also pointed out that the Split side were within a step of advancing against Pafos in Cyprus until the 91st minute, but details prevented them from turning it around. "If we had scored for 2-1, everyone would be telling a completely different story today," he said for Lika Online.
The coach of the Whites openly admitted that the team is not yet complete. As reported by Lika Online, Garcia explained the reasons for departures and the need for fresh blood. "Some players left because they were too expensive. We are in a completely different situation than Dinamo. Of course, we need new reinforcements and we are working on it," he said.
He emphasized that he is aware of the public's perception. "Everyone sees that we still lack players. We are working on it. We will be good," Garcia added for Slobodna Dalmacija, stating that his team is in a "totally different process."
His statements about captain Marko Livaja, who also started the match against Pafos on the bench, drew special attention. "Our relationship is excellent. People think we are friends if he plays and not if he doesn't. That's not true. I am the coach and I have to make decisions that are best for the team," Garcia explained for Lika Online, adding that Livaja played for an hour and was very good.
He dismissed speculation about a conflict and called for calm. "We must stop the fanaticism if we want to progress as a club. Marko is doing well, he is happy and understands his role," he said, alluding to the atmosphere in which every decision he makes is dramatized.
Good news comes from the medical department. According to Garcia's words for Lika Online, Alberto Del Moral played "a very good twenty minutes" against Pafos and showed aggression, so he is ready for more playing time. New signing Marin Šotiček travels with the team and could get his first minutes in a Hajduk shirt. However, Garcia called for caution with players returning after a break.
He also commented on young Bruno Hodak, whom he believes has stagnated a bit. "Last season he improved a lot, but now he has stalled a bit. He must not be disappointed that he is not playing, but must continue to work," the coach said.
Speaking about Sunday's opponent, Garcia emphasized Varaždin's quality. "Varaždin has kept the core of the team and has a clear style of play. They have been doing well for a long time and have shown quality in Europe as well," he said for Lika Online. Although Hajduk faces Žalgiris in the third qualifying round of the Conference League next week, Garcia claims the focus is solely on the championship, aware that the Lithuanians scored seven goals against Dinamo Tbilisi.
On the other side, Varaždin is in a similar situation after being eliminated by Jablonec. Defensive midfielder Ivan Canjuga, who returned to his home club after a spell at Lokomotiva, revealed the mood in the dressing room to Sportske novosti. "We were all devastated. We were convinced we would go through; we felt after the first match that we were the better team," Canjuga said.
He is particularly hurt by the way the goals were conceded. "The Czechs are really good at set pieces and knew how to punish us and capitalize on those dead-ball situations," he said, alluding to the fact that Varaždin conceded all four goals in the two matches from set pieces.
However, the focus is now on the championship, and the club's ambitions are not modest. "That's our goal! We want to be in the top half again, we want to qualify for Europe again, and I believe we can do it," Canjuga said for Sportske novosti. Coach Nikola Šafarić cannot count on the injured Duraković, and the match at the City Stadium will be officiated by Patrik Kolarić from Čakovec.
