Hajduk Sinking Before September? Garcia Has a Problem
Only one point in two league rounds and fatigue among key players after European matches point to serious issues ahead of the season's continuation.
Only one point in two league rounds and fatigue among key players after European matches point to serious issues ahead of the season's continuation.
After the first two rounds of the SuperSport HNL, Hajduk has only one point, marking their worst league start since the summer of 2021. Although the Split side was just seconds away from a win against Istra 1961, the Pula team deservedly snatched a 2:2 draw at Poljud, exposing the growing cracks in Gonzalo García's squad.
More importantly, a problem that could define the 'Whites'' entire season is already visible: playing in a Thursday-Sunday rhythm. Just three days after a convincing 5:2 victory over Žalgiris in Vilnius, García made only two changes from the European lineup. Hodak replaced Acapandie, and Sigur came in for Dalisson.
Against Istra, Hajduk moved noticeably slower than in their previous home matches against Pafos (2:0) and Žilina (2:0), where they looked more aggressive and compact. García evidently judged that after the defeat in Varaždin (2:1), a win over Istra required the same starting eleven he trusts most, regardless of the fatigue from the trip to Lithuania.
The best example of exhaustion is Marin Šotiček. Hajduk's new winger shone in Lithuania, but even then, his legs grew heavier as the match progressed. Despite this, García kept him on the pitch for the full 90 minutes. Three days later against Istra, Šotiček was a shadow of the player seen in Vilnius. This was to be expected, given that the player, who had been on Basel's exit list since late May and waiting for a new club, is far from optimal physical condition.
The problem deepens because García has no real alternative for Šotiček on the bench. Dario Melnjak can play on the wing, as he showed against Žilina and Pafos, but he is a full-back by trade. There was also the option of Michele Šego on the left side and Marko Livaja up front. Livaja played only the last 25 minutes in Lithuania and was not tired, but García is currently sticking firmly to his footballing ideas.
At this moment, Hajduk simply does not have the squad depth to handle two matches a week without serious consequences. This issue will become pressing if the 'Whites' qualify for the Conference League league phase, which is still wide open. If they succeed, the Thursday-Sunday rhythm will become a near-weekly reality until February.
Last season, neither Dinamo nor Rijeka managed to solve this problem, with their league results suffering significantly due to European commitments. Hajduk, with their current squad, seems even more vulnerable. Fans will overlook a poor league start as long as the team is alive in Europe, which currently serves as an alibi for everything.
However, García will feel the real problem if Hajduk fails to reach the Conference League group stage. In that case, a larger deficit in the league would mean another season that sank before September even arrived.
