After losses to Pafos and Varaždin, sharp assessments of the situation at the Split club echoed in the MaxSport studio ahead of the visit to Žalgiris.
Hajduk opened the new season with two consecutive defeats that sparked strong reactions, with particular attention drawn to comments by expert commentator Samir Toplak and host Valentina Miletić in the MaxSport studio. After Gonzalo García's side lost 4:0 to Pafos in Cyprus on Thursday, July 30, 2026, and were eliminated from the Europa League qualifiers, another shock followed on Sunday, August 2, when Varaždin celebrated a 2:1 victory at home in the first round of the SuperSport HNL.
According to reports from Dnevno.hr and Sportske novosti, the Split side had a 2:0 lead from the first leg against Pafos at Poljud, but a complete collapse in the return leg dropped them into the Conference League. Just three days later in Varaždin, the first half offered little, but the second half heated up. Mario Mladenovski put the hosts ahead in the 53rd minute, but Rokas Pukštas equalized just three minutes later to make it 1:1.
The final 2:1 for Varaždin was set by Luka Mamić in the 62nd minute, after Hajduk's defense made a catastrophic error, as reported by Sportske novosti. The Whites had a chance to salvage a point in stoppage time when they were awarded a penalty, but Marko Livaja failed to beat goalkeeper Josip Silić in the 90th minute. Dnevno.hr reports that Silić saved Livaja's spot-kick, leaving Hajduk empty-handed for the second consecutive match.
On the MaxSport show, expert commentator Samir Toplak analyzed the problems of the Split club. "Hajduk has reached a period where rivals no longer show respect for the club. I remember a time when Hajduk would step onto the pitch and we would already feel like we had practically lost the match. That is no longer the case today. Everyone plays against everyone, and Varaždin showed they have no fear of a team worth three times as much," Toplak said on MaxSport, as reported by Dnevno.hr.
Toplak also added that Hajduk has an imbalance in the squad and that there is little time to correct these issues, which is particularly concerning ahead of the new European test.
Building on his words, Valentina Miletić, host in the MaxSport studio, drew a parallel with past times. "I remember a period when almost every average person on Split's Riva could list Hajduk's starting XI. Today, I think that is far from reality," Miletić stated, with her comments also carried by Dnevno.hr and Slobodna Dalmacija.
Hajduk will have a chance to get back on the winning track as early as Thursday, August 6, 2026, when they visit Lithuanian side Žalgiris Vilnius in the third qualifying round of the Conference League. Given the current form and atmosphere at the club, the match in Lithuania will be a true test of character for García's team.
