Why the Surprise? Hajduk Isn't Juventus!
The win over Gorica provides a psychological boost but reveals the 'Thursday-Sunday' rhythm problem and the limited squad depth, which could impact league results during European commitments.
The win over Gorica provides a psychological boost but reveals the 'Thursday-Sunday' rhythm problem and the limited squad depth, which could impact league results during European commitments.
Hajduk fizzled out in the second half of the match against Gorica, a pattern also seen in the previous round against Istra. The team had possession, but the play seemed unfinished and ineffective, and the players who started the match looked deflated, like a punctured balloon. Still, there's no need for surprise.
This win over Gorica could be a significant psychological boost. The reason is simple: Hajduk finds it extremely difficult to keep up with the 'Thursday-Sunday' rhythm. It was this very rhythm that led to Igor Tudor's legendary outburst during the two-legged tie against Shakhter Karagandy, now a second-division team in Kazakhstan.
After a 4-2 defeat in the first leg, Tudor, slamming his fist on the table at the press conference, said:
"Thursday, Sunday, Thursday, Sunday, Thursday, Sunday. And so on, constantly. When I played for Juventus, the same ten players always played. No fatigue, no injuries. Do you think that's a coincidence? No, because they are top class."
These words can absolutely be applied to Gonzalo Garcia's squad, not necessarily in terms of quality, but in terms of depth. His roughly 15 players will certainly have a tough weekend, regardless of the opponent, as long as they also play on Thursdays.
This kind of squad is still far from being well-drilled and feels like a revolving door. Garcia's statement about the stadium is not empty at all; it's very firm. How much they missed Brajković, and luckily Šotiček arrived quickly. Soon, Dennis Hadžikadunić, a defender, will join, because Hajduk needs additional players in every line to keep the league pace stable after European matches.
The fact is that the pace will suffer as long as Europe lasts, and everyone hopes that will be throughout the autumn, at least to start. And they have the right to hope because Raków is not an easy opponent at all. They, for example, don't have a single point in the league and are also rotating their squad, just like Hajduk.
Everyone against Gorica held their breath when Acapandie and later Hodak lay on the pitch. Hajduk's first-choice right-back's leg slipped dangerously, and he grabbed his hamstring, but Garcia immediately calmed the fans after the match, saying it was nothing serious or important.
It's no surprise that the Whites fade as the match progresses. Hajduk isn't Juventus, so it can't have 20 equal, top-class players. Hajduk is in a position where it can't wait for Hadžikadunić and can be relieved that nothing serious happened to Acapandie.
