Former Rijeka coach Dragan Skočić analyzed Matjaž Kek's team for Net.hr ahead of the European clash with Ilves, commented on the start of the season for Croatian clubs, and discussed Marin Šotiček's move to Hajduk.
Rijeka's footballers play their first match of the 3rd qualifying round of the Conference League against Finland's Ilves on Thursday at 8:45 PM at Rujevica. The match is broadcast exclusively on RTL and the Voyo platform, with a live text feed available on Net.hr.
Respected football coach Dragan Skočić, who himself led Rijeka, offered a detailed analysis of Matjaž Kek's team for Net.hr. He emphasized that the team is still in a building phase, but that Kek's pragmatism and the club's European experience represent a key advantage.
"Kek is a pragmatic coach; he demands discipline and a block, responsibility in the lines. But it's too early to talk about a fluid attack with chemistry. Time is needed because some players aren't in adequate shape, some weren't at the preparations, and more players will arrive," Skočić told Net.hr.
He added that Rijeka has always operated in a specific way in recent years. "I once said it's like a plane that flies while being designed in the air. They always look for solutions on the fly, but in recent years they've shown they always find a way."
Skočić believes that the performances against Derry City and Rudeš so far are too small a sample to draw conclusions. "Rijeka is solid in the defensive block, responsible, and I think the process of building automatisms is still ongoing," he noted. He stressed that Kek avoids excessive experimentation and that the return of injured players like Janković, Franko, and Dante will bring an additional dimension to the attack.
He specifically commented on Marin Šotiček, who chose Hajduk. "I wasn't surprised that Šotiček chose Hajduk. Marin Šotiček chose Hajduk based on his own criteria. I'll just say that Marin Šotiček would have been good for Rijeka," Skočić said. He praised players Toni Fruk, Dantas, and Vignat, adding that together they would form a promising and young team.
"I think Hajduk will also benefit from Šotiček, who is a good player, powerful, technically sound. I believe he will develop in the right direction. The Croatian national team could also benefit from Šotiček in the future," he concluded.
Despite the favorite's role, Skočić warns of the dangers Ilves poses. "The Finns are a solid, disciplined team. They might be in a better competitive rhythm now, but we also need to account for the high temperatures. I think that shouldn't suit the Finns." He singled out young players Teemu Hitonen and Maksim Stjopin, a fast winger, as threats on the counter.
"Underestimating Ilves is completely forbidden. Rijeka is better; Rijeka is the favorite. That's evident both financially and in terms of personnel. The value of the squad shows a lot, but value doesn't always win," he stressed.
He also commented on the performances of other Croatian clubs. He praised Dinamo, who convincingly dispatched Kauno Žalgiris, while for Hajduk he said he expected them to advance past Pafos after the 2-0 win at Poljud. He also commented on Hajduk's 2-1 loss in Varaždin at the start of the SHNL, where Marko Livaja missed a penalty.
"It didn't surprise me. Varaždin has shown before that they can win such matches," Skočić said, adding that coach Nikola Šafarić is doing an excellent job and that Varaždin is stable and close to Europe. Finally, he noted that Rijeka, Dinamo, and Hajduk are much more experienced in European matches than other Croatian clubs, which increases their role as favorites.
