Kek after narrow win against Ilves
Rijeka celebrated a 1-0 victory at Rujevica with a goal from Janković in the 16th minute, but the coach is aware that the lead is slim and that the return leg in Finland brings entirely different challenges.
Rijeka celebrated a 1-0 victory at Rujevica with a goal from Janković in the 16th minute, but the coach is aware that the lead is slim and that the return leg in Finland brings entirely different challenges.
Rijeka's footballers secured a victory in the opening match of the third qualifying round of the Conference League, defeating Finnish side Ilves 1-0 at Rujevica. Although the Croatian representative controlled the game for most of the match, the minimal lead leaves questions open ahead of the return leg, which takes place in seven days in Finland.
The only goal of the match was scored by Niko Janković as early as the 16th minute. Rijeka had chances to increase their lead, coming closest in the first half when Pavić hit the post. In the closing stages, the visitors' goalkeeper Krkalić stood out with several excellent saves, preventing a more convincing defeat for his team.
Coach Matjaž Kek did not hide that he expects more from his team. "Another game in a row where, based on chances, instead of winning comfortably, we leave question marks for the return leg in Finland. Simply, the chances we don't convert make us insecure. You can see that the team has lost a bit of freshness," Kek said after the match.
The Slovenian tactician on the Rijeka bench particularly emphasized the problem of finishing and the lack of decisiveness in the final third. "I missed energy and hunger, 'blood' to score and force the ball into the net. Through training, I see that we can do better. We've recorded four wins at the start of the championship, but there's maybe a bit of dissatisfaction because I know we can do better," he added.
Kek is also concerned about the fact that the return leg will be played on a surface his players are not used to. "We will have to adapt to the artificial turf as soon as possible. You have to adapt; whoever adapts will be more successful. We can and must play at a higher level," said the Rijeka coach, aware that Ilves can be a significantly more dangerous opponent on their home turf.
Rijeka thus travels to Finland with a minimal lead, where in a week they will seek a place in the Conference League playoffs.
