Anđelo Šutalo, the 19-year-old right winger, is Hajduk's brightest spot in a poor start to the season. In three appearances, he's logged less than 80 minutes and has already initiated two goals.
Hajduk stumbled badly in the second round of the SuperSport HNL, drawing 2-2 against Istra 1961 at Poljud, leaving them with just one point after two rounds. Fans are furious and demanding resignations, and the mood is further soured by the fact that the team conceded again in stoppage time. However, amid the sea of bad news, there is one that brings a much-needed dose of optimism, and its name is Anđelo Šutalo.
He is a 19-year-old right winger who arrived this summer from the ranks of the biggest rival, Dinamo. The young man spent most of his career in the youth academy of Neretva from Matković, from where he moved to the "Blues" at the start of the 2022/23 season. He made 19 appearances for Dinamo's youth team and won the junior HNL, but instead of waiting for a chance in the B team, he decided to make a bold move and transfer to Hajduk. So far, the decision seems to be a bullseye.
Šutalo had an extremely tough debut for the Whites. He came on in stoppage time during the away match against Pafos in Cyprus, when Hajduk was already losing 0-3. Despite the difficult situation, he immediately showed liveliness and penetration. What he hinted at in Cyprus, he confirmed in the next European clash. Against Žalgiris, coach Gonzalo García brought him on in the 67th minute, and Šutalo capped a solid performance on the right wing with a precise through ball for Dalisson, who went one-on-one with the keeper and scored.
After the first, the second assist quickly followed, although it doesn't officially count in the stats. Against Istra 1961, he came on at 1-1 and immediately threatened with two dangerous low shots that goalkeeper Franko Kolić saved with good stops. In the 84th minute, he weaved through the opponent's penalty area, shot well, and Kolić could only parry the ball to Marko Livaja, who scored to make it 2-1.
So far, Šutalo has logged less than 80 minutes on the pitch for Hajduk's senior team and has already directly initiated two goals. His dynamic dribbling, runs down the right flank, and dangerous left foot make him a great "joker" off the bench, and given the current situation in the squad, it's only a matter of time before he becomes a starter.
At the start of the season, there was no dilemma, the first choice on the right wing was Roko Brajković. However, he has since suffered a severe knee injury that will likely keep him out for the rest of the season. García tried young Adam Hurama in that position and then decided to trust Bambi Sanyang. The Gambian, however, against Žalgiris and Istra showed little more than unpredictable dribbling that didn't help the team much.
Šutalo is emerging as a younger, more ambitious, and far more concrete solution. His player profile resembles what the brilliant left-footed Spaniard Iker Almena did on the right side last season. If he continues like this, it seems he will soon get a more significant role in Gonzalo García's squad.
While Poljud searches for bright spots, Maksimir turns to domestic duties. GNK Dinamo has announced on its official channels the 3rd round SuperSport HNL match against NK Rudeš, which will be played on Friday, August 14, 2026, at 8:00 PM at Maksimir Stadium. "On home turf, you at Maksimir!" the club said alongside a photo of Luka Stanzl.
Tickets are sold exclusively online, with a priority sale for Club members starting on Monday, August 10, at 11:00 AM. General sale begins on Tuesday, August 11. Ticket prices for the West lower stand are €15 for members and €20 for other fans, while the North lower stand is available at €7 exclusively for members.
