Lokomotiva Chases Second Win, Gorica Seeks Redemption
In Saturday's Round 2 of the SuperSport HNL, Lokomotiva hosts Gorica at 9 PM. Both teams promise better performances after contrasting results in the opening round.
In Saturday's Round 2 of the SuperSport HNL, Lokomotiva hosts Gorica at 9 PM. Both teams promise better performances after contrasting results in the opening round.
Round 2 of the SuperSport Croatian Football League brings us a clash at Maksimir this evening. At 9 PM, Lokomotiva will host Gorica in a match where the home side seeks to extend their winning streak, while the visitors aim to wash away the bitter taste of defeat from the season opener. You can watch the match live on MAXSport 1.
Lokomotiva opened the season with a win away at Istra 1961, but sources differ on the final score. According to Lika Online, the match ended 3:2, while Sportklub reports a 2:1 result. Regardless of the number of goals scored, coach Nikica Jelavić was not entirely satisfied with what he saw.
"We are aware that against Istra it wasn't what we expected in terms of play, but the result favored us. We took three points, which is the most important thing at the start of the season. We've seen where we made mistakes, and I expect that against Gorica we will do much better in certain aspects," Jelavić told Sportklub.
The Lokomotiva coach emphasizes caution ahead of the upcoming clash. "It's only the first round. Gorica is certainly a good team, even though they've lost quite a few players, just like us. They're still gelling, but they have their style. Coach Carević prefers open football, which is very tricky. It will be an uncomfortable match, but we'll prepare as best we can," he added.
On the other side, Gorica enters the match after a disappointing display in the first round, when they were beaten 2:0 at home by Osijek. Coach Mario Carević doesn't hide that his team has something to correct.
"We owe a debt, and we are aware of it. I expect a really good reaction from the team. We owe it to ourselves, but also to the fans, the club, and everyone else. I hope we will be much better," Carević said for Sportklub.
The main referee for the match will be Antonio Škobić from Osijek, assisted by Marko Reljan (Osijek) and Filip Đerđ (Darda). The fourth official is Patrik Pavlešić (Duga Resa), while Ivan Bebek (Rijeka) and Kristijan Novosel (Valpovo) will be in the VAR room. Both teams are at full strength with no absences.
Saturday's program opened with the match between Rudeš and Osijek at 6:30 PM at the City Stadium in Velika Gorica. Osijek defeated Gorica 2:0 in the first round and now seeks a maximum six-point haul, but coach Federico Bessone warns against complacency. "We started brilliantly, but that's just one match. We must continue working as we have been because complacency would be a big mistake," Bessone told Sportklub, adding that there is no fixed starting eleven.
On the other side, Rudeš, after a loss to Rijeka (2:1), are looking for their first points of the season. Coach Alen Peternac believes in a positive outcome in front of the home crowd. "We are in front of our fans, and we want to show the energy, aggression, and courage that must characterize Rudeš in every match. We respect Osijek, but we primarily focus on ourselves. If we perform at the level we are capable of, I believe we can get our first points," Peternac stated for Sportklub.
Round 2 continues on Sunday with two more matches. Slaven Belupo hosts Varaždin in Koprivnica at 6:30 PM, while Hajduk plays Istra 1961 at Poljud at 9 PM. The match between Rijeka and Dinamo has been postponed.
