The former striker for the Whites analyzed the high-scoring victory against Žalgiris, commented on the dressing room atmosphere and missed penalties, and recalled a time when pressure on players was incomparably greater.
Hajduk played a memorable match in Vilnius, completely humiliating Žalgiris and practically securing their place in the Conference League playoff with a high-scoring victory. Five goals scored, the possibility of a sixth that was disallowed by VAR, and an excellent second-half performance erased the memory of two consecutive defeats at the start of the season. Former Hajduk striker Tomislav Bušić spoke to Slobodna Dalmacija about the great fluctuations in the team's performance under Gonzalo Garcia.
"Motivation is everything, and so is attitude. You saw the Varaždin match; we were out of breath, without energy. Against Žalgiris, we dominated in every aspect of the game in the second half; it seemed we could score whenever we wanted. These weren't amateurs, and we scored five or six goals. Now Istra comes, and I just hope we don't run out of steam again," said Bušić.
Bušić believes that the Uruguayan coach managed to find a way to get the team back on the winning track after the shocking defeat in Cyprus and the lackluster performance in Varaždin. There was pressure, but Garcia, with his constant positivity, managed to get the maximum out of the players just when it was needed most.
"They didn't need more motivation than two consecutive defeats. In Varaždin, they were completely drained; they didn't even score a penalty. Now the motivation is at its peak; we need to push forward. The return leg is practically decided, but we still play cautiously at home. There's no fear. After a defeat, we couldn't wait for the next match to put it behind us. I remember thinking: if only we could play tomorrow..." Bušić recalled the mentality of players in such situations.
Although the euphoria at Poljud is great, Bušić calls for caution and good preparation for what lies ahead. Qualifying for the league phase of the Conference League would bring financial stability, but also the big challenge of playing on two fronts, especially for a squad that isn't very deep.
"The most important thing now is to prepare well for that part of the season and the playoff. The question is whether the league will be neglected if they enter the Conference League, so that there are no problems. Financially, everything is fine, but the result in the HNL must not suffer. We don't have 30 players like Dinamo, and it won't be easy for them to push on two fronts either," Bušić analyzed.
The former striker also recalled his playing days and the disaster against Debrecen, emphasizing how much less pressure there is on players today compared to his time. Back then, local players were under a much bigger microscope from the local community.
"For a month, we weren't allowed to leave the apartment. Only training and home; you couldn't go anywhere else out of shame. The fans were 'crazy.' There were many situations where, as soon as you lost any match, you simply felt uncomfortable. Everything was different then; the pressure was much greater than today. They would stop you on the street, in the store; you had to hide. You watched where you went, whether you'd go for coffee or straight home. You win 2-1, they congratulate you and say you should have scored four goals, not two. Back then, there were a lot of local players in the team, so it was very embarrassing to go out, go to training, and see disappointed people around you," Bušić recounted.
In the high-scoring victory against the Lithuanian club, Marin Šotiček particularly stood out, being elusive for the opposing defenders, although he didn't cap his performance with his first goal. Bušić believes that he could be the solution for the wing position.
"I liked him even when he played for Lokomotiva. He's good; he could be a great addition. He's an excellent dribbler and goes straight at goal. I feel so sorry for Brajković. He was nowhere, then he lifted himself up with hard work. He was playing well, was the most dangerous winger, and then he gets such an injury. What a shame, but I believe he'll be back as soon as possible," he commented.
When it comes to the missed penalties by Marko Livaja and Michele Šego, Bušić has a clear stance on who should take them. "It's not easy to score. The goal seems big, but it shrinks in your head when you place the ball. For that, it's best to have a cheeky player who is unfazed, who doesn't buckle under pressure. In my opinion, the odds are 60:40 in favor of the taker," concluded the former striker.
