Why is Toni Fruk not in Rijeka's starting lineup?

Coach Matjaž Kek decided to change the look of the attacking part of the team and leave Fruk on the bench, despite him being a starter in the first leg.

What does Rijeka need to advance to the play-off?

Rijeka would advance with a win or any draw, while a win by a single goal for Ilves would force extra time.

What type of surface is the match in Tampere played on?

The match is played on an unusual artificial turf that is extremely hard throughout, and Rijeka had 60 minutes in training to adapt.

How did Rijeka fare in the first qualifying round?

Rijeka eliminated Derry City with two 1:0 wins and has remained unbeaten in the European season so far.

Football

Fruk surprisingly benched: Kek shocks with lineup

A.R. · Prije 1 dana | 3 min

Rijeka defends 1:0 lead against Ilves at Tammela Stadium from 6 PM, fighting for a spot in the Conference League play-off.

Summary

Toni Fruk surprisingly remained on the bench, with Kek changing the attacking lineup.
Rijeka defends a 1:0 lead from the first leg at Rujevica, where Janković scored in the 16th minute.
Ilves beat AZ 4:3 at home last year and Austria Vienna 2:1 two years ago.
The match is played on hard artificial turf, and Rijeka had 60 minutes to adapt.

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Ahead of the crucial return leg of the third qualifying round of the Conference League against Ilves in Tampere, Rijeka coach Matjaž Kek made an unexpected change to the starting lineup. Toni Fruk, one of the key players for the Rijeka side, will start the match on the bench, despite having been a starter in the first leg at Rujevica.

Rijeka takes a 1:0 lead from the first leg, secured a week ago at Rujevica with a goal from Niko Janković in the 16th minute. The return match will be played at Tammela Stadium, kicking off at 6 PM Croatian time.

Kek reshuffles the attacking part of the team

In goal for Rijeka will be Aleksa Todorović, with the defense consisting of Ante Oreč, Ante Majstorović, Alfonso Barco, and Mladen Devetak. In midfield, Tiago Dantas and Branko Pavić will feature, with Justas Lasickas, Jakov Puljić, and Niko Janković playing ahead of them. Daniel Adu-Adjei will lead the attack.

Ilves will start the match with Krkalić in goal, Pettersson, Väisänen, Kumpu, and Rale in defense, Multala, Popovitch, and Raap in midfield, and Kanga, Hytönen, and Suvanne in attack. The Finnish team must overturn the deficit after losing at Rujevica.

Warning from past seasons

RTL Danas reporter Boris Jovičić reported from Tampere and warned of the home side's strength. "Ilves is a strong home team, and their results from the past two years speak volumes. Last year, they beat Dutch side AZ 4:3 here, and two years ago, they defeated Austria Vienna 2:1," Jovičić said.

Special attention was drawn to the playing surface. "The pitch is an unusual artificial turf that is extremely hard throughout. It will be interesting to see how Rijeka adapts to this surface. Kek himself said yesterday that they have 60 minutes in training to get used to it," the reporter added.

Atmosphere and stakes

According to Jovičić, the day in Tampere was calm, and the interest from home fans is not overwhelming. "Around five thousand will be cheering for Ilves, with about a hundred coming from Rijeka," he reported. The temperature in Tampere ahead of the match is a perfect 18 degrees.

Whoever wins this tie advances to the Conference League play-off and will need just one more victory to enter the league stage. Rijeka has not lost in this European season, having previously eliminated Derry City with two 1:0 wins.

For Ilves, a win by a single goal would mean extra time, while Rijeka would advance with a win or any draw. It will be particularly interesting to see when Kek turns to Fruk, the Croatian international who has already scored in Europe this season.