Hajduk Fans on Facebook: Šotiček Will Be a Star
Hajduk supporters on social media are openly thrilled after the emphatic 5:2 victory over Žalgiris, with young Marin Šotiček and Anđelo Šutalo receiving the most praise.
Hajduk supporters on social media are openly thrilled after the emphatic 5:2 victory over Žalgiris, with young Marin Šotiček and Anđelo Šutalo receiving the most praise.
Last night in Vilnius, Hajduk dismantled Lithuanian side Žalgiris 5:2 in the first leg of the third qualifying round for the Conference League, and fans of the Split club celebrated their first away European victory in nearly six years on social media.
The Split side secured the convincing win with goals from Michele Šego (5', 44'), Adrion Pajaziti (56'), Dalisson (73'), and Rokas Pukštas (75'). The home team's scorers were Nikola Petković in the 35th minute and former Hajduk player Marko Capan in the 86th. This is Hajduk's first away triumph in Europe since a 1:0 win at Renova in the second qualifying round for the Europa League.
The return leg is scheduled for August 13, 2026, at Poljud, kicking off at 9 PM. The winner of this tie will face the better side from the Raków vs. Hammarby clash in the final qualifying round, with their first encounter ending goalless.
Although he didn't score, Marin Šotiček (21), on loan from Basel with an option to buy, earned the most compliments on Facebook. The young winger, for whom the Swiss club paid three million euros to Zagreb's Lokomotiva in 2024, constantly tore apart the Lithuanian defense with his runs down the left flank and provided an assist. It was only his second appearance in a Hajduk shirt, following his debut in last Sunday's 2:1 loss in Varaždin.
Nineteen-year-old midfielder Anđelo Šutalo, who arrived from Dinamo this summer, received just as much praise, also registering an assist against Žalgiris. Judging by the reactions, the duo has already become fan favorites.
Hajduk's Facebook page is flooded with comments from ecstatic fans. One admitted the win was a bigger shock than his electricity bill: "I'm not used to winning, now I don't know how to behave". Another briefly commented on the score with "Bayern shirt, Bayern score".
Šotiček was named man of the match, with one comment noting that "his style of play reminds me of Perišić", while another fan wrote: "Little Šotiček is the best, what a player he'll become, and Šego, don't yell at the kid". Several highlighted that "Šotiček-Šutalo are top signings", and one excitedly announced: "I'm buying this new jersey with Šotiček on the back".
Amid the sea of positive reactions, one fan joked about Rokas Pukštas's family, claiming that "the Pukštas family contributed more to this win than Bamba". There was also a question that perhaps best captures the disbelief after a long string of European failures: "What do you do in situations like this, does anyone know?"
