The undefeated Whites from Rujevica host Finnish side Ilves tonight at 8:45 PM in the first leg of the third qualifying round. After three straight wins, Matjaž Kek has prepared his strongest starting eleven for the new European challenge.
Rijeka's footballers are ready for their next European test. Tonight, August 6, 2026, Finnish side Ilves arrive at Rujevica, with the match kicking off at 8:45 PM in the third qualifying round of the Conference League. The home side has been flawless so far this season, and coach Matjaž Kek has announced the lineup he plans to use to build an advantage ahead of the return leg.
Rijeka opened the new season in impressive fashion, securing three wins in as many matches. In the second qualifying round of the Conference League, they dispatched Irish side Derry City with an aggregate score of 2-0, winning both legs by the same 1-0 margin. That successful run continued in the domestic league, where they beat Rudeš 2-1 in their opening fixture.
Finnish side Ilves were runners-up last season, finishing just a point behind champions Inter Turku. However, the current campaign has brought far more modest results. After 18 rounds of the Finnish league, which follows a spring-autumn format, Ilves sit in only ninth place. In their last league outing, they suffered a 0-1 defeat away to Oulu on Sunday.
They reached the tie with Rijeka by overcoming Luxembourg's Differdange, drawing 0-0 at home before winning the return leg 3-1. That was followed by a dramatic tie against Iceland's Stjarnan. After a 0-1 loss in Garðabaer, Ilves bounced back in Tampere with a 2-1 win, forcing a penalty shootout where they prevailed 5-4.
Coach Matjaž Kek will field a trusted side in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Aleksa Todorović will start in goal, with the back four consisting of Ante Oreč, Ante Majstorović, Alfonso Barco, and Mladen Devetak.
In midfield, Tiago Dantas and Branko Pavić will be tasked with providing balance, while the attacking trio behind the lone striker will feature Gabriel Rukavina, Toni Fruk, and Niko Janković. Leading the line will be Daniel Adu-Adjei.
Possible Rijeka lineup (4-2-3-1): Todorović; Oreč, Majstorović, Barco, Devetak; Dantas, Pavić; Rukavina, Fruk, Janković; Adu-Adjei.
Rijeka enter this match as clear favorites, and the fans at Rujevica expect the winning streak to continue, setting up a more comfortable return leg in Finland.
