Bessone warns: Relaxing against Rudeš would be a mistake
Osijek seeks second win in Velika Gorica, Rudeš hunts first points in SuperSport HNL. Coaches announce a cautious and hard-fought match.
Osijek seeks second win in Velika Gorica, Rudeš hunts first points in SuperSport HNL. Coaches announce a cautious and hard-fought match.
Osijek's footballers visit Rudeš on Friday, August 7, 2026, in the second round of the SuperSport HNL. The match at the City Stadium in Velika Gorica kicks off at 6:30 PM, with the hosts looking for their first points after returning to the top tier of Croatian football, while the visitors aim to build on their impressive season opener.
Osijek coach Federico Bessone is aware that his team faces a completely different challenge than the one against Gorica. "I know it will be a different match; we watched them against Rijeka. But just as I said we'd be ready for Gorica, I now say we'll be ready for Rudeš," Bessone said at a press conference.
The Argentine tactician stressed that maintaining consistency is the hardest part of the job. "We played well, but that's just one match; we have to keep it up. If we relax even a little, it will be a big mistake. We need to maintain the same level, and if possible, play maybe even a bit better," he added.
In the season opener, Osijek showed what Bessone wants to see-a team that, after scoring the first goal, immediately goes for the second. "Many teams make the mistake of thinking, once they score one goal, that the job is done, and they drop their concentration. I want us to be a team that, when it scores the first, immediately goes for the second," he explained.
He is particularly pleased with young players like Ježić, whom he trusted in a tough away game. "It might have been easier to play with a more experienced midfielder in Gorica, but Ježić showed he's ready and deserved to play. Young players are the future of this club, and we want to give them the chance to prove themselves," Bessone said.
The Osijek coach also commented on Domagoj Bukvić, who shone in midfield against Gorica. "Bukvić can play any position. He can be a full-back, winger, six, eight, or ten. Only goalkeeper, due to his height, he can't be, but in all other positions, he does excellently. For me, as a coach, that's great because I can use him wherever I need him," he praised the versatile player.
On the other side, Rudeš put up a brave fight against Rijeka at Rujevica in the first round, losing narrowly 2-1. Coach Alen Peternac drew optimism from that defeat ahead of the clash with another favorite. "In Rijeka, we showed we can be equal to a quality opponent. We took a lot of positives from the match, but we also clearly saw where we need to improve," Peternac said for HRT.
Peternac announced an energetic approach in front of the home crowd. "We play in front of our fans, and we want to show the energy, aggression, and courage that should define Rudeš in every match. We respect Osijek, but we primarily focus on ourselves. If we perform at the level we're capable of, I believe we can get our first points," he concluded.
Bessone remained cryptic about the starting lineup, though it's known he doesn't have a fixed starting XI. "I'm a coach who doesn't have a starting 11. Of course, it's hard to change when you're winning and when the team plays like they did in the last match; we'll see," he said.
What is known is that Osijek will be without four injured players: Mejia, Matković, Čaić, and Šopov. Compared to the last match, the bench included Ćurčija, Heister, Kalem, Posavec, Mersinaj, Hasić, Mikolčić, Petrusenko, Jovičić, Ljatifi, Balelo, and Leon.
