Experts and commentators mercilessly criticize Hajduk's play, especially the defense, and the atmosphere at Poljud is increasingly tense. After the draw with Istra, the message from Poljud is: 'The defense is leaky, as leaky as it can get.'
After just two rounds in the HNL, Hajduk finds itself under heavy pressure. The draw with Istra at Poljud (1:1) exposed deep problems in the team, and harsh criticism is coming from all sides. Coach Ilija Lončarević and Sportske novosti commentator Davorin Olivari, in the latest episode of the VAR room, did not mince words, suggesting that the Split club has already fallen out of the title race at the very start of the season.
Although Hajduk celebrated in Europe against Žalgiris, Lončarević warns that confidence should not be built on that victory. "Hajduk's win in Europe is excellent, no doubt about that, but you shouldn't build the next match in three days on it because our league is a serious league," said Lončarević, adding that the team dominated against Istra but failed to convert pressure into goals. "When we look at the final minutes, Hajduk's team isn't confident or self-assured enough to keep a player from trembling in the closing stages of the match."
The defensive play is particularly concerning. Olivari was direct in his criticism of the center-back pairing: "Marešić and Van Hoorenbeeck look completely and shockingly confused, they're so clumsy. It's unbelievable how they react in certain situations. Hajduk has to fear conceding a goal in every match." The commentator also highlighted the incredible error on Istra's equalizer, when Jaganjac and Ahmeti were practically alone in the box.
Jutarnji list journalist Tomislav Juranović commented on the decisions of sporting director Robert Graf. "Zvonimir Šarlija was written off at the end of last season because Robert Graf insisted on it, due to changes within the team. Marešić arrived in the winter, Van Hoorenbeeck this summer, and a new center-back pairing was formed. I don't see any progress in their play or stability. The defense is leaky, as leaky as it can get," said Juranović.
Lončarević added that the overly hasty rejuvenation of the team is a big problem. "You can't be a serious contender for first place in any league if you go with young, unknown players," Lončarević believes, pointing out that they simultaneously got rid of experienced players like Krovinović and Šarlija, while Livaja isn't playing. "You've left every segment of the team without experience and older players. A team isn't built overnight just because you brought in a bunch of new players," he concluded, estimating that it will take about six months for the new players to become real reinforcements.
Olivari was particularly harsh in his predictions for the rest of the season. "After two rounds, Hajduk has just one point. Dinamo has two more with a game in hand. The story is always that Hajduk will be a title contender. I won't go that far, but it seems to me they've already fallen out of the title race after two rounds." The commentator also dismissed the notion of good European performances, reminding of the heavy defeat to Pafos (0:4) and predicting tough matches against Raków or Hammarby. "It can happen to you, if you don't get into the Conference League, that you've already lost a season that hasn't even started," he said.
The tense situation is further aggravated by the poor atmosphere in the stands. Coach Gonzalo García was greeted with whistles, and after the match with Istra, chants of "Management, leave!" echoed around Poljud. "Hajduk lives under incredible pressure. All those events from the stands, that's an atmosphere that can't result in anything other than a collapse," Olivari warned.
Juranović emphasized the importance of Marko Livaja in the whole story. "The Livaja factor is quite important here. He was a kind of shield from the fans towards the team. As if he, with his aura and charisma, was also shielding those poor results and performances. Now that he's not there, all of that has been completely exposed." Olivari added that the vast majority of fans don't understand why Livaja is sitting on the bench and that this is the main generator of the bad atmosphere. "It will be hard to continue like this. This has to be resolved, sooner or later, because Hajduk will only sink. That's not good, primarily for Hajduk, but also for Croatian football itself," he concluded.
