Hajduk squandered a win against Istra at Poljud in the 2nd round of the HNL, conceding a goal in the last second for a final 2:2. Fans vented their anger in the stands and on social media, with coach Garcia and striker Michele Šego also speaking out.
Hajduk's footballers played a dramatic match on Saturday at Poljud in the 2nd round of the SuperSport HNL against Istra 1961, which ended 2:2. The Split side led 2:1 until stoppage time, but the visitors equalized in the final attack of the match through Ahmeti, freezing the packed stadium.
This result left Hajduk with only one point after two rounds, sparking an eruption of dissatisfaction among fans, both in the stands and on social media. During the match, whistles and chants of "Management, resign" echoed from Poljud, with club president Ivan Bilić also being a target of discontent.
The home side opened the match brilliantly. Already in the 15th minute, Pukštas found the net, giving Hajduk an early lead. It seemed the Split side controlled the game, but the visitors did not give up. In the 42nd minute, Frederiksen managed to equalize, and the teams went to halftime at 1:1.
In the second half, Hajduk regained the initiative, and the reward came in the 84th minute when Livaja scored for 2:1. While many were already resigned to a home win, a cold shower followed in stoppage time. Ahmeti beat the goalkeeper in the last seconds of the match to set the final score at 2:2, causing shock and anger at Poljud.
After the match, Hajduk striker Michele Šego spoke, partially taking responsibility for the first goal conceded. "I think we allowed them to get back into the game. We started well, scored from a rehearsed move. I partially take responsibility for the first goal; the ball shouldn't go through the wall, and it was my mistake for turning away," Šego said.
The striker then pointed to a psychological issue in the team. "We managed to score for 2:1, but I don't know what to say about the end of the match, that we can't see it out. It's all in the head. We know our history. When I was here, there was Steaua, now Pafos. I don't know what needs to be done. It's in the head," he added, visibly disappointed.
He also commented on the poor league start: "Not good at all. We should have won both matches. But the focus must be on Thursday, advancing, and continuing the European journey." Šego concluded that the team has too many fluctuations and cannot control the match from start to finish.
Hajduk coach Garcia also did not hide his disappointment. "We conceded silly goals again, we just crack..." Garcia said, as reported by Jutarnji list. Interestingly, the club's media officials banned him from answering a question about the chants from the stands directed at the management.
Fans on social media were no less harsh, venting all their anger in comments about the latest blunder. Criticism flew in all directions, from players to management and the coach.
"They couldn't even hold on until Our Lady, and the season is already over. Silić is a fraud, the center-back pair is terrible, Bamba is catastrophic, that's nothing new. The only bright spots are Šutalo and Puki. And yes, Istra deserved a point after two unpenalized penalties," read one comment. Others were even harsher: "The most loser club in the history of sports, I won't even comment anymore, I'm speechless."
Some fans have already given up on the league: "The championship is long lost; we should focus on the Conference League and try to win it." Others called for the coach's dismissal: "Let's gather money to pay off this coach and let him go." Defensive issues were also targeted: "Marešić and Van Hoorenbeeck can't even guard Dalibor Petko in women's company."
One fan summed up the feelings of many with a comment: "We watch the same thing every match, a crisis in the last 15-20 minutes, the team without strength and concentration. How? Has anyone on the coaching staff noticed this problem?"
